WHO warns covid-19 could kill up to 190,000 people in Africa

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned that COVID-19 could kill 83,000 to 190,000 people in Africa in the first year and infect between 29 million and 44 million during that period if it is not contained.

The comments by WHO came as Europe and the US loosen their lockdowns against the COVID-19, with health experts expressing growing fears over what they say is an all-but-certain second wave of deaths and infections.

Meanwhile, the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday called for an “all-out effort” to end the “tsunami of hate and xenophobia” sparked by the novel COVID-19 pandemic, without naming specific countries.

READ ALSO: 25 passengers on flight from Nigeria to Beirut test positive for COVID-19

“Anti-foreigner sentiment has surged online and in the streets,” Guterres said in a statement. “Anti-Semitic conspiracy theories have spread and COVID-19-related anti-Muslim attacks have occurred.”

According to Guterres, migrants and refugees have been “vilified as a source of the virus – and then denied access to medical treatment.”

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now