Africa could be next coronavirus epicentre: WHO


Geneva, Apr 17 (IANS): The World Health Organization (WHO) on Friday that Africa could become the next epicentre of the coronavirus pandemic as there was a sharp rise in the numver of COVID-19 cases in the past week.

There have been almost 1,000 deaths and more than 18,000 infections across Africa so far, although these rates were far lower than those seen in parts of Europe and the US.

The WHO's Africa director, Matshidiso Moeti, told the BBC that the organisation had witnessed the virus spreading from capital cities to "the hinterland" in South Africa, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Cameroon and Ghana.

She said they were focusing on prevention rather than treating the virus because African countries don't have the capacity to treat many coronavirus patients.

"We want to minimise the proportion of people who get to the point of needing critical care in an ICU, because we know that these types of facilities are not adequate by any means in the majority of African countries," she told the BBC.

"I have to say the issue of ventilators is one of the biggest challenges that the countries are facing."

For patients critically ill with COVID-19, access to a ventilator could be a matter of life or death.

One of the first recorded deaths from coronavirus in Africa was Zimbabwean journalist Zororo Makamba in March.

The local authorities in the capital, Harare, said that they did not have a ventilator to treat him.

There were also fears that the disease could spread rapidly in overcrowded areas where it is impossible to practise social distancing and where many do not have access to clean water and soap.

  

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Comment on this article

  • ad, mangaluru

    Fri, Apr 17 2020

    Save Africa, They cannot afford this nightmare.

    DisAgree Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • G Veer S, Nagpur

    Fri, Apr 17 2020

    For future betterment of the world and humanity it is very important that China is contained at all cost. China is originating and spreading diseases through its economic and business contacts throughout the world. China has an ulterior motive of dominating the world and topple the US from the seat. God forbid if that happens it will be an end of the world with Chinese autocratic rule coupled with diseases, slavery and social injustice. We are already seeing the trailer in India.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jossey Saldanha, Mumbai

    Fri, Apr 17 2020

    G Veer S, Nagpur
    Karma is catching up with China ...

    DisAgree Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jossey Saldanha, Mumbai

    Fri, Apr 17 2020

    Donald Trump calls WHO a big Fake ...

    DisAgree [2] Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse


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