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African airlines losses estimated at US$400 million dollars from flight cancellation to and from China alone, by IATA.
As a preparedness for combating the epidemic, all African countries will have the capacity to test for coronavirus as part of preparedness.
African airlines will be impacted heavily due to Corona Virus, according to International Air Transporters’ Association (IATA). It indicated that the loses could be upwards of US$400 million dollars from flight cancellation to and from China alone. Globally, it is estimated that air transport would take a hit of US$26 billion. Barring Ethiopian, all other African airlines had suspended their operations in the China route, after the outbreak. The WHO also issued guidelines on movement of persons to address the impact of the outbreak.
As part of the measures for combating the epidemic, all African countries to set up the capacity to test for coronavirus . Thirty -three countries in the region already have facilities in place to test the virus. More countries are installing the equipment to test the virus. The AU’s Center for Disease Control (CDC), is also supporting member states to boost the capacity.
There are private initiatives also to combat the spread of the disease. The Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF) committed N200million to support current effort of the Nigerian government towards curbing the spread of Corona Virus or Covid-19 in his country. This is the largest single donation by a corporate organization in the country to contain the spread of coronavirus. Nigeria recorded its first index case last month in Lagos, Nigeria. The donation reflected the Foundation’s commitment to partner with governments at all levels against the dreaded disease in Nigeria and the rest of Africa. The Foundation has earmarked N124million that will support facilities to help prevent, assess and respond to health events at Point of Entry to ensure National Health Security. The other areas of intervention by the Foundation included surveillance and epidemiology, where facilities worth N36million will be provided by the Foundation to support government’s effort. The ADF will also donate N48million for case management training of health workers.
Going by the incidences of the virus attack, Sub-Saharan Africa has two cases confirmed so far -an Italian national in Nigeria and a French national in Senegal, while North Africa consisting of Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt and Algeria have all recorded cases.
Globally, there are a total of 90,936 confirmed cases. More than half of those (47,995) have already recovered. China leads the list (80,151), followed by South Korea (4,812), Italy (2,036) and Iran (1,501). Japan has 274 confirmed cases, France 191, Germany 165, Spain 120, Singapore 108, US 106, and Hong Kong 100.
