Covid-19 cases in Africa near 12,000 —WHO

Latest update from the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Africa has shown that nearly 12,000 Covid-19 cases had been reported, with 1,586 recoveries and 608 deaths since the outbreak started.

Making top three in the worst hit countries according to the breakdown published on the WHO African Regional Covid-19 dashboard, are South Africa, 1,934 cases and 18 deaths; Algeria, 1,666 cases and 235 deaths, and Cameroon with 730 cases and 10 deaths.

Also making bottom two are South Sudan and Burundi with 3 reported cases each and no fatalities so far.

The Gambia, and Sao Tome fall in the second-lowest category with each having 4 confirmed cases and zero deaths except for Gambia with only one death on record.

Mauritania in the third-lowest cases category has had 6 cases and zero deaths as well.

The dashboard updates also showed Nigeria’s leap by 34 cases in the past two days as new covid-19 figures near 300 with 7 deaths so far.

In a statement on the agency’s official website, the WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti, speaking on the development said the Covid-19 virus not only had the potential to kill but also to cripple economic and social activities.

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He stated that a decentralized approach to tackling the global pandemic would produce maximum results.

“Communities need to be empowered and provincial and district levels of government need to ensure they have the resources and expertise to respond to outbreaks locally,” Moeti said.

“These combined measures will ensure the rapid identification of cases, the tracking down and quarantining of contacts and the isolation and treatment of patients. It is also crucial that people are provided with accurate information which will promote healthy behaviours” He emphasised

On protection plan for health care workers, the WHO adviced that their basic needs be taken into account as it was “a vital component of the response” plan.

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