The editorial discusses the global outbreak of the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, which originated in Hubei Province, China, and has spread to many other countries. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared a global health emergency on January 30, 2020, due to the increasing case notification rates. As of mid-February 2020, China bears the majority of morbidity and mortality, while other regions have seen lower incidence rates. Coronaviruses are enveloped, positive-stranded RNA viruses that can infect humans and various animals. SARS-CoV-2, a member of the beta-coronaviruses, is closely related to the SARS-CoV virus. The virus likely transitioned from animals to humans at the Huanan seafood market in Wuhan, but the exact transmission route remains unclear. The initial clinical signs of COVID-19 include pneumonia, with recent reports also documenting gastrointestinal symptoms and asymptomatic infections, especially in young children. The incubation period is typically around five days, with a median of three days. Symptomatic patients often experience fever, cough, nasal congestion, and fatigue, and the infection can progress to severe disease in about 75% of cases. Lymphopenia and elevated inflammatory markers are common. The basic reproduction number (R0) for the current epidemic is estimated to be between 2.2 and 3.58, higher than the 3 reported for the 2003 SARS outbreak. Dense communities, particularly in Africa, are at high risk due to dense travel links with China. The case fatality rate for COVID-19 is approximately 2.2%, compared to 9.6% for SARS and 34.4% for MERS-CoV. Treatment options include drugs like baricitinib, remdesivir, chloroquine, lopinavir/ritonavir, leronlimab, and galidesir, which are being tested in clinical trials. The editorial highlights the potential impact of the COVID-19 epidemic on fragile health systems in sub-Saharan African countries, emphasizing the need for support and preparedness to mitigate the effects of such outbreaks.The editorial discusses the global outbreak of the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, which originated in Hubei Province, China, and has spread to many other countries. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared a global health emergency on January 30, 2020, due to the increasing case notification rates. As of mid-February 2020, China bears the majority of morbidity and mortality, while other regions have seen lower incidence rates. Coronaviruses are enveloped, positive-stranded RNA viruses that can infect humans and various animals. SARS-CoV-2, a member of the beta-coronaviruses, is closely related to the SARS-CoV virus. The virus likely transitioned from animals to humans at the Huanan seafood market in Wuhan, but the exact transmission route remains unclear. The initial clinical signs of COVID-19 include pneumonia, with recent reports also documenting gastrointestinal symptoms and asymptomatic infections, especially in young children. The incubation period is typically around five days, with a median of three days. Symptomatic patients often experience fever, cough, nasal congestion, and fatigue, and the infection can progress to severe disease in about 75% of cases. Lymphopenia and elevated inflammatory markers are common. The basic reproduction number (R0) for the current epidemic is estimated to be between 2.2 and 3.58, higher than the 3 reported for the 2003 SARS outbreak. Dense communities, particularly in Africa, are at high risk due to dense travel links with China. The case fatality rate for COVID-19 is approximately 2.2%, compared to 9.6% for SARS and 34.4% for MERS-CoV. Treatment options include drugs like baricitinib, remdesivir, chloroquine, lopinavir/ritonavir, leronlimab, and galidesir, which are being tested in clinical trials. The editorial highlights the potential impact of the COVID-19 epidemic on fragile health systems in sub-Saharan African countries, emphasizing the need for support and preparedness to mitigate the effects of such outbreaks.