(2 minutes read)
· The World Health Organization (WHO) cautioned that the
continent with a population of 1.3 billion could become the next
epicenter of the global outbreak
· The World Health Organization (WHO) cautioned that the
continent with a population of 1.3 billion could become the next
epicenter of the global outbreak.
· There is also a feeling that the cases in the continent are
under reported due to lack of testing facilities and reluctance and
difficulties of the people to access medical facilities
(As on May 1, 2020)
The pandemic has been confirmed in over 180 countries world-wide.
Excepting Lesotho, all African countries have since recorded cases,
The governments in the continent are rolling out plans for containing
the pandemic. Here is the tally for Africa
Confirmed cases = 38,825
Number of deaths = 1,634
Recoveries = 12,543
Infected countries = 51
Virus-free countries = 1 (Lesotho)
Available statistics indicate that Africa registered a 43% jump in
reported COVID-19 cases last week. The World Health Organization (WHO)
cautioned that the continent with a population of 1.3 billion could
become the next epicenter of the global outbreak. Coupled with its
limited testing facilities and grossly fragile healthcare
infrastructure, the region will not be able to cope with the medical
requirements of the affected patients. There is also a feeling that
the cases in the continent are under reported due to lack of testing
facilities and reluctance and difficulties of the people to access
medical facilities. WHO warned the virus could kill more than 300,000
people and push 30 million into desperate poverty. The good news is
that Africa still has time to avert such a disaster.
