Coronavirus: your questions answered on the first signs, pregnancy and a vaccine

From questions on how the virus spread to concerns about whether schools should shut, our experts answer your questions on coronavirus

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Is there any particular reason why Central African countries seem to be spared of the virus? Is it because of lack of travel to those region, lack of testing/detection or is the warmer climate protective against the spread of the virus?

We don't yet know whether they are being spared. It may be that in low-income, poorly resourced countries in Africa, cases are being missed, although they are doing all they can, with support from the World Health Organization. The other possibility is that there may be something particular to Africa that reduces the transmissibility of the virus. That could include the outdoor life that people lead in many regions.