The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Africa is more than 500,000 today and this is causing a lot of concern as the growing number of countries are experiencing a rapid rise in cases. In less than five months, 11,959 lives are being claimed by the virus which is exceeding the number of lives lost during the world’s worst Ebola outbreak in West Africa between 2014 and 2016.
In the past month, the number of cases has doubled in 22 countries. Almost two-thirds of the countries around Africa are experiencing community transmission. Egypt, Algeria, Ghana, Nigeria, and South Africa account for 71% of COVID-19 cases. South Africa accounts for 43% of the continent’s total cases.
Cases have more than doubled in 22 countries in the region over the past month. Nearly two-thirds of countries are experiencing community transmission. Algeria, Egypt, Ghana, Nigeria, and South Africa account for about 71% of COVID-19 cases. South Africa alone accounts for 43% of the continent’s total cases.
Nonetheless, the growth rate is not uniform across the continent, with some nations recording a mild rise in cases, indicating a protracted pandemic. Eritrea, Gambia, Mali, Seychelles, and Togo are witnessing rapid doubling cases and low improvement in containing the virus. Seychelles had not recorded a case in practically two months, however, the previous week had dozens of new imported cases, linked to crew members of a world fishing vessel. There are additionally some indicators of progress as 10 nations have skilled a downward development over the previous month. Though Egypt accounts for 15 p.c of cumulative circumstances, it has seen a decline previously week.
-19 overwhelming fragile health systems on the continent are escalating,” said Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, World Health Organization (WHO) Director for Africa. “So far the continent has avoided disaster and if countries continue to strengthen key public health measures such as testing, tracing contacts, and isolating cases, we can slow down the spread of the virus to a manageable level.”
Eighty-eight percent of COVID-19 infections are among people aged 60 and below, likely due to Africa’s relatively young population. However, the likelihood of dying from COVID-19 rises with increasing age, and the existence of co-morbidities, with the risk of death among patients aged 60 years and above is 10 times higher compared with those below 60.
“Communities across the continent have a crucial role to play in controlling the pandemic, especially as countries begin easing lockdowns and opening up their borders,” said Dr. Ahmed Al-Mandhari, WHO Director for the Eastern Mediterranean. “As governments continue to implement public health measures, individuals must remain as cautious and vigilant as ever to protect themselves, their families, and their communities. Hand washing, mask use, physical distancing, and other preventative measures are key to controlling transmission, saving lives, and ensuring that already overwhelmed health systems are not stretched to breaking point.”
As COVID-19 continues to spread, thousands of health workers have also fallen ill. Equipping and protecting health workers is one of the central pillars of the COVID-19 response.
WHO is working to support countries respond to COVID-19 by providing technical guidance, crucial medical equipment, and has remotely trained more than 25 000 health workers. WHO has also organized more than 420 shipments of key equipment, including more than 3000 oxygen concentrators, 23 000 GeneXpert diagnostic testing machines, and almost 4 million pieces of personal protective equipment for health care workers.
We urge everyone to follow all the safety precautions to help in fighting the virus.
