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Nearly 1 Million People Infected With COVID-19 In Africa

Almost one million people have been infected with COVID-19 in Africa, according to data from the Africa Centre Control (CDC).

By Emmanuel Egobiambu With Agency Report
Updated August 2, 2020
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Medical personnel prepare to test people for Coronavirus at National Arena stadium in Bucharest June 10, 2020. A testing programme called “Am I immune to COVID?” begins on Tuesday, at the National Arena stadium where the City Hall of Bucharest has made all the necessary preparations from a medical and logistical point of view to randomly test around 2,000 people. The first 500 people from Bucharest are being tested starting from Tuesday for Covid antibodies. So far, we 2,000 people registered. The program was launch to see, on a scientific basis, how many people have already been affected, given that extended testing is the only way to do this. Daniel MIHAILESCU / AFP
File photo: A man sprays commuters with hand sanitiser as a preventive measures at Wanderers taxi rank in Johannesburg CBD, on March 18, 2020. Michele Spatari / AFP.

 

 

Almost one million people have been infected with COVID-19 in Africa, according to data from the Africa Centre Control (CDC).

The agency said as of Sunday, August 2, 2020, the 55-nation Africa Union (AU) has 944,450 infections from the virus.

Despite the rising infections from COVID-19,  more than half of those who contracted the virus – 602,578 – have recovered, the data further revealed.

However,  about 19,920 persons have died from complications from the pandemic.

A region-by-region breakdown of the disease, indicates that Southern Africa has the highest number of COVID-19 cases – 526, 870 – out of which 8, 642 have death and 352, 233 recoveries.

Central Africa remains the least infected region on the continent having reported 48, 897 cases, 941 deaths and 34, 212 recovered persons.

 

 

Of the number of COVID-19 related deaths in Africa, the Africa CDC latest data shows that Southern Africa has the highest figure – 8, 642 – followed by the Northern – 6, 694.

Even though the central region of Africa with nine nations has one of the lowest infections level from the pandemic (48,897), less than a thousand persons – 941 – have died due to complications from the disease.

The region, as of the today, has 34, 212 recoveries, which is a recovery rate of about 70 per cent.

 

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In West Africa, Nigeria has the lion share of COVID-19 infections  – 43,537 –  after 386 more cases were confirmed on Saturday evening.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) noted that four more persons have died from the virus as recovery numbers hit 20,087 and 883 deaths reported.

 

 

A breakdown of COVID-19 cases across the country, as of August 1st, 2020. Designer: Benjamin Oluwatoyin/Channels TV

 

Since the outbreak of the disease in Africa on February 14th in Egypt, the World Health Organization (WHO) Africa, said more than 10, 000 health workers have been infected with the virus.

According to WHO Africa Region Director, Dr Matshidiso Moeti, the number of infected health workers in Africa is more than 5% of cases in 14 countries in sub-Saharan Africa.

“More than 10, 000 health workers in the 40 countries which have reported on such infections have been infected with COVID-19 so far, a sign of the challenges medical staff on the frontlines of the outbreak face,” the agency said in a post on its website.

COVID-19 Epicentre

 

South Africa, the worst-hit in Africa – 503, 290 cases which is more than half the continent’s infections – have reimposed a lockdown it lifted to strengthening an economy largely affected by the pandemic.

 

File photo: A man sprays commuters with hand sanitiser as a preventive measures at Wanderers taxi rank in Johannesburg CBD, on March 18, 2020. Michele Spatari / AFP.

 

“As we head towards the peak of infections, it is vital that we do not burden our clinics and hospitals with alcohol-related injuries that could have been avoided,”  President Cyril Ramaphosa said in a televised address to the nation on July 12.

IMF Assistance 

 

Just last week, the International Monetary Fund on Monday said it had approved $4.3 billion in aid to South Africa to help it fight the coronavirus pandemic.

 

In this file photo an exterior view of the building of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), with the IMG logo, is seen on March 27, 2020 in Washington, DC. Olivier DOULIERY / AFP
In this file photo an exterior view of the building of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), with the IMG logo, is seen on March 27, 2020 in Washington, DC. Olivier DOULIERY / AFP

 

“The IMF approved $4.3 billion in emergency financial assistance under the Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI) to support the authorities’ efforts in addressing the challenging health situation and severe economic impact of the COVID-19 shock,” the Washington-based crisis lender said in a statement.

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