South Africa accounts for 29% of Africa’s Covid-19 cases

Covid-19 infections in Africa today surpassed 500 000, and there is concern as a growing number of countries are experiencing a sharp rise in cases.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) announced toda that in less than five months, the virus claimed 11 959 lives.

“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 42 per cent of Covid-19 cases. South Africa alone accounts for 29 per cent of the continent’s total cases.”

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WHO stated that the accelerating growth trend is not uniform across the continent, with some countries recording a steady rise in cases, indicating a protracted pandemic.

“Eritrea, Gambia, Mali, Seychelles and Togo are witnessing long doubling times and low growth rates. Seychelles had not experienced a case in nearly two months, but in the past week had dozens of new imported cases, linked to crew members of an international fishing vessel. There are also some signs of progress as 10 countries have experienced a downward trend over the past month. Although Egypt accounts for 15 percent of cumulative cases, it has seen a decline in the past week.”

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“With more than a third of countries in Africa doubling their cases over the past month, the threat of COVID-19 overwhelming fragile health systems on the continent is escalating,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, 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 per cent 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 being 10 times higher compared with those below 60. ”

More than 500,000 cases of #COVID19 have been confirmed in #Africa. Concerns are mounting over countries that have experienced sharp rises in cases – with numbers more than doubling in 22 countries over the past month.

🔗https://t.co/PKENO999Bp pic.twitter.com/Ks1w8QEzq2

— WHO African Region (@WHOAFRO) July 8, 2020

“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.”

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