The World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed concern that the threat of COVID-19 overwhelming fragile health systems on the African continent is escalating. The global health body worry that COVID-19 infections in Africa has surpassed 500 000, and growing number of countries are experiencing a sharp rise in cases.Algeria, Egypt, Ghana, Nigeria and South Africa account for about 71% of COVID-19 cases. South Africa alone accounts for 43% of the continent’s total cases, said WHO.
The organisation however said that the accelerating growth trend is not uniform across the continent, with some countries recording a steady rise in cases, indicating a protracted pandemic.
WHO Director for Africa, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, said “With more than a third of countries in Africa doubling their cases over the past month, the threat of COVID-19 overwhelming fragile health systems on the continent is escalating. So far the continent has avoided disaster and
if countries continue to strengthen key public health measures such as testing, tracing contacts and isolating cases, we can slow down the spread of the virus to a manageable level.”
source: Leadership
