WHO working to limit spread of coronavirus in Africa

The coronavirus situation is evolving very quickly in Africa in terms of geographic spread and the number of cases.

This is according to Dr Matshidiso Moeti, the World Health Organisation’s regional director for Africa. Moeti was speaking during a press briefing on 26 March. She said that virus initially took some time to reach the continent, however, in the past few days they have noted that there are 40 countries with the virus and there is an increase of 300 cases per day.

Moeti highlighted that the most important thing is to identify the cases and limit the spread as well as treat the patients and trace all of their contacts. She highlighted that most countries in Africa have been prepared to address the pandemic. “This work needs to have political commitment and support and a number of heads of state have put measures in place at the most senior level.”

Some of the countries which have put strict measures in place include South Africa, Ghana, Uganda and Senegal. She highlighted that many countries have ramped up their capacity to test for the virus.

As South Africa enters a lockdown at midnight on 26 March, Moeti said that it is difficult to tell if other African countries will follow suit. She predicted that countries around South Africa might put similar measures in place. Many have put in place measures such as closing borders and asking people to self-isolate.

Dr Zabulon Yoti, the acting regional emergencies director for WHO in Africa said that they recognise that there are significant gaps in the way African countries are able to address the pandemic, however, there has been improvements. Some countries, which are experiencing armed conflict or have a lot of displacement and refugees, have special needs which need to be addressed.

Professor Samba Sow, WHO special envoy on Covid-19 and director of the Centre for Vaccine Development in Mali, said that the ideal solution would be to have treatment ready today but, unfortunately, there is no vaccine against this virus yet. Researchers are working hard. He indicated that it could take between 12 and 18 months to develop a vaccine ready for market, assuming all goes smoothly.

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