Africa detecting just 1 in 7 COVID-19 cases, says WHO study
3 years, 2 months ago

Africa detecting just 1 in 7 COVID-19 cases, says WHO study

Associated Press  

OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso — Only one in seven COVID-19 infections in Africa are being detected, meaning the continent’s estimated infection level may be 59 million people, according to a new study by the World Health Organization. “With limited testing, we’re still flying blind in far too many communities in Africa,” said Matshidiso Moeti, regional director for the WHO in Africa in a press briefing Thursday. The rapid testing will also provide officials with data to help avoid overwhelming health systems and implementing restrictions that can be “disastrous as far as economic consequences,” said Ngozi Erondu, senior scholar at Georgetown University’s O’Neill Institute. Only 30% of the continent’s 54 countries having fully vaccinated 10% of their populations while many high-income countries have achieved vaccination rates of almost 90%, according to the U.N. With the approach of end-of-year travel that is expected to cause a surge in cases, Moeti said African countries should prepare for a possible fourth wave.

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History of this topic

Congo reports more than 1,000 new mpox cases in a week
4 months, 3 weeks ago

Congo reports more than 1,000 new mpox cases in a week

The Independent  

Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Congo reported …

Congo reports more than 1,000 new mpox cases in a week. African authorities ask for vaccines
4 months, 3 weeks ago

Congo reports more than 1,000 new mpox cases in a week. African authorities ask for vaccines

Associated Press  

CAPE TOWN, South Africa — Congo reported more than 1,000 new mpox cases in the last week up to Tuesday as African health authorities asked for desperately needed vaccines to help fight its “growing” threat on the continent. While mpox has been reported in 12 of Africa’s 54 countries during these outbreaks, the vast central African nation of Congo has …

COVID vaccination rates have dropped 50% in Africa, WHO says
2 years, 2 months ago

COVID vaccination rates have dropped 50% in Africa, WHO says

LA Times  

The number of COVID-19 vaccine doses given in Africa has dropped by more than 50% over the last three months, the World Health Organization said Thursday, even though less than a quarter of all Africans have been vaccinated. Despite increased availability of vaccines on the continent, Africa still lags far behind the global average, with only 24% of the population …

COVID deaths in Africa to fall by 94% in 2022: WHO
2 years, 7 months ago

COVID deaths in Africa to fall by 94% in 2022: WHO

Al Jazeera  

Richer countries and southern African nations have had around double the mortality rates of poorer ones in other parts of Africa. Deaths on the African continent from COVID-19 are expected to fall by nearly 94 percent in 2022 compared to last year, the World Health Organization has said, citing its own modelling. “Our latest analysis suggests that estimated deaths in …

COVID-19 cases and deaths in Africa drop to lowest levels yet, WHO says
2 years, 9 months ago

COVID-19 cases and deaths in Africa drop to lowest levels yet, WHO says

LA Times  

The numbers of coronavirus cases and deaths in Africa have dropped to their lowest levels since the pandemic began, marking the longest decline yet seen in the disease, according to the World Health Organization. In a statement Thursday, the United Nations health agency said coronavirus infections due to the Omicron surge had “tanked” from a peak of more than 308,000 …

Up to 65% of Africans have been infected with the coronavirus, far more than thought
2 years, 9 months ago

Up to 65% of Africans have been infected with the coronavirus, far more than thought

LA Times  

A resident gets tested for a coronavirus infection in Johannesburg. The World Health Organization said that by last September, about 65% of people tested in Africa had some exposure to the virus, translating into about 800 million infections. In a new analysis released Thursday, the U.N. health agency reviewed 151 studies of the virus in Africa based on blood samples …

Up to 65% of Africans have had COVID, far more than thought
2 years, 9 months ago

Up to 65% of Africans have had COVID, far more than thought

Associated Press  

JOHANNESBURG — The World Health Organization said that up to 65% of people in Africa have been infected with the coronavirus and estimates the number of actual cases may have been nearly 100 times more than those reported. In a new analysis released Thursday, the U.N. health agency reviewed 151 studies of COVID-19 in Africa based on blood samples taken …

Covid-19 Returns? US, China & Others Witness Jump In Daily Caseload — All You Need To Know
2 years, 9 months ago

Covid-19 Returns? US, China & Others Witness Jump In Daily Caseload — All You Need To Know

ABP News  

New Delhi: Months after a decline in daily Covid-19 cases worldwide in January, several countries have once again started witnessing a surge in daily infections with World Health Organisation stating that there were more than 11 million new Coronavirus infections reported last week globally - about an 8% rise - and 43,000 new deaths. South Korea South Korea reported a …

Africa CDC director urges youths to boost COVID vaccinations
2 years, 11 months ago

Africa CDC director urges youths to boost COVID vaccinations

Associated Press  

ABUJA, Nigeria — Africa’s top health official is launching a campaign to enlist young people to encourage vaccinations, as just 11.3% of the continent’s 1.3 billion people are vaccinated against COVID-19. Youths will be encouraged “to play an active role” in ramping up inoculations across the continent where the vaccination rate is far below other regions in the world, Africa …

Africa CDC: Continent on course to vaccinate 70% this year
2 years, 11 months ago

Africa CDC: Continent on course to vaccinate 70% this year

Associated Press  

JOHANNESBURG — The African continent is on course to reach its target of vaccinating at least 70% of its population against COVID-19 by the end of 2022, the head of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention told reporters on Thursday. The continental public health agency said it has been encouraged by a surge in vaccinations in countries like …

Covid-19 cases top 300 million worldwide
3 years ago

Covid-19 cases top 300 million worldwide

Hindustan Times  

The total number of Covid-19 registered worldwide since the start of the pandemic topped 300 million on Friday, according to an AFP count based on official figures. The figure stood at 300,042,439 cases at 15:45 GMT, including all the cases announced since the World Health Organization office in China first reported the outbreak of the disease in late December 2019. …

Africa CDC: Nations might turn to COVID-19 vaccine mandates
3 years, 1 month ago

Africa CDC: Nations might turn to COVID-19 vaccine mandates

Associated Press  

NAIROBI, Kenya — African governments might have to resort to COVID-19 vaccine mandates if their citizens don’t hurry to get the increasingly available doses, the director of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Thursday. The warning by John Nkengasong to reporters that governments “will not have a choice” came as the flow of doses to Africa’s 54 …

South Africa hit by fourth COVID-19 wave: What we know about country's surge in cases
3 years, 1 month ago

South Africa hit by fourth COVID-19 wave: What we know about country's surge in cases

Firstpost  

South Africa is being hit by a fourth wave of COVID-19 infections driven by the Omicron variant which has been detected in seven of the country’s nine provinces, Health Minister Joe Phaahla said on Friday As some parts of the globe still reel from the Delta variant of COVID-19, the emergence of the new Omicron variant has nations worried. South …

Africa CDC says 11 countries on continent facing a 4th COVID-19 wave
3 years, 1 month ago

Africa CDC says 11 countries on continent facing a 4th COVID-19 wave

China Daily  

People wait before receiving the vaccine against coronavirus disease at a mass immunization venue inside Cairo University, in Cairo, Egypt, Sept 8, 2021. The fourth wave of the pandemic is currently gripping countries including Algeria, Egypt, Kenya and Tunisia, Africa CDC head John Nkengasong said on Thursday. The continent has seen an average 6 percent decrease in new COVID-19 cases …

What do we know about the new COVID strain found in South Africa?
3 years, 1 month ago

What do we know about the new COVID strain found in South Africa?

Al Jazeera  

The discovery of new variant with a high number of mutations raises concerns about COVID-19 transmissions, triggering travel restrictions. A new COVID-19 variant detected in South Africa with a high number of mutations has raised concerns among scientists and triggered travel restrictions by a number of countries amid fears of coronavirus transmissions. South Africa Health Minister Joe Phaahla said the …

‘Serious concern’ as South Africa detects new coronavirus variant
3 years, 1 month ago

‘Serious concern’ as South Africa detects new coronavirus variant

Al Jazeera  

South African Health Minister Joe Phaahla says the variant is behind an ‘exponential’ increase in COVID infections. “Unfortunately we have detected a new variant which is a reason for concern in South Africa,” Tulio de Oliveira, from the Network for Genomic Surveillance in South Africa, told a news conference. Health Minister Joe Phaahla said the variant was of “serious concern” …

Scientists mystified, wary, as Africa avoids COVID disaster
3 years, 1 month ago

Scientists mystified, wary, as Africa avoids COVID disaster

Associated Press  

HARARE, Zimbabwe — At a busy market in a poor township outside Harare this week, Nyasha Ndou kept his mask in his pocket, as hundreds of other people, mostly unmasked, jostled to buy and sell fruit and vegetables displayed on wooden tables and plastic sheets. “The police demand bribes so I lose money if I don’t move around with a …

Scientists are mystified, and wary, as Africa avoids COVID-19 disaster
3 years, 1 month ago

Scientists are mystified, and wary, as Africa avoids COVID-19 disaster

LA Times  

At a busy market in a poor township outside Harare, Nyasha Ndou kept his mask in his pocket as hundreds of other people, mostly unmasked, jostled to buy and sell fruits and vegetables displayed on wooden tables and plastic sheets. “The police demand bribes, so I lose money if I don’t move around with a mask.” Days earlier, Zimbabwe recorded …

Syringe shortfall threatens Africa’s COVID vaccine drive
3 years, 2 months ago

Syringe shortfall threatens Africa’s COVID vaccine drive

Al Jazeera  

UNICEF is predicting an ‘imminent shortfall’ of up to 2.2 billion of the single-use syringes used to give jabs. Africa’s struggle to inoculate people against COVID-19 risks being hobbled by a shortage of syringes just as supplies of vaccines flood into the continent, the World Health Organization said. UNICEF, the United Nation’s fund for children, is predicting an “imminent shortfall” …

WHO Says Number of New Covid Cases Fell Last Week; Global Declining Trend Continues
3 years, 3 months ago

WHO Says Number of New Covid Cases Fell Last Week; Global Declining Trend Continues

News 18  

The World Health Organization says the number of newly reported coronavirus cases fell in the last week, continuing a declining global trend that first began in August. In its latest assessment of the pandemic, the U.N. health agency reported Tuesday that there were 3.1 million new COVID-19 cases, a 9% fall, and about 54,000 deaths in the last week, roughly …

South Africa launches drive to vaccinate 500,000 in 2 days
3 years, 3 months ago

South Africa launches drive to vaccinate 500,000 in 2 days

Associated Press  

CAPE TOWN, South Africa — South Africa launched a new COVID-19 vaccination drive Friday and will try to give doses to 500,000 people in two days to reinvigorate a flagging campaign that’s coming up against hesitancy and complacency in the continent’s worst-affected country. Ramaphosa is attempting to entice people to get shots by tying vaccination rates to a return to …

WHO: COVID-19 vaccination triples in Africa but still low
3 years, 4 months ago

WHO: COVID-19 vaccination triples in Africa but still low

Al Jazeera  

Africa CDC head says less than 3 percent of continent’s population have been vaccinated and blames vaccine inequality. COVID-19 vaccinations in Africa have tripled during the past week, though protecting even 10 percent of the continent by the end of September remains “a very daunting task,” the Africa director of the World Health Organization has said. The WHO Africa director …

South Africa's new coronavirus cases surge to record levels
3 years, 6 months ago

South Africa's new coronavirus cases surge to record levels

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy South Africa s resurgence of …

‘This IS INSANE': Africa desperately short of COVID vaccine
3 years, 7 months ago

‘This IS INSANE': Africa desperately short of COVID vaccine

Associated Press  

CAPE TOWN, South Africa — In the global race to vaccinate people against COVID-19, Africa is tragically at the back of the pack. “It is extremely concerning and at times frustrating,” said Africa CDC Director Dr. John Nkengasong, a Cameroonian virologist who is trying to ensure some of the world’s poorest nations get a fair share of vaccines in a …

Africa faces ‘rising threat’ of a COVID third wave: WHO
3 years, 7 months ago

Africa faces ‘rising threat’ of a COVID third wave: WHO

Al Jazeera  

The UN health agency warns coronavirus cases are surging in many countries on the continent. Healthcare systems across Africa are “far from ready” to cope with a fresh surge of coronavirus infections, with vaccine deliveries at a near standstill and cases surging in many countries, the World Health Organization has warned. “Many African hospitals and clinics are still far from …

As COVID-19 collides with HIV/AIDS, the pandemic may be taking an ominous turn
3 years, 7 months ago

As COVID-19 collides with HIV/AIDS, the pandemic may be taking an ominous turn

LA Times  

A nurse talks to a patient who is HIV-positive in Ngodwana, South Africa. While the South African patient was diagnosed with HIV back in 2006, doctors had been unable to control her viral load with standard antiretroviral therapy, and her immune system’s population of CD4+ T cells — which may play a role in clearing coronavirus infection — were very …

South Africa Detects First Cases of Coronavirus Variant from India
3 years, 8 months ago

South Africa Detects First Cases of Coronavirus Variant from India

News 18  

South Africa’s health ministry said on Saturday it had detected the first four cases of a new coronavirus variant that emerged in India and was responsible for a surge of infections and deaths in the Asian country. Testing had also picked up 11 cases of the variant B.1.1.7 first detected in the UK, the health ministry said in a statement. …

Alarm grows in Africa as it watches India’s COVID-19 crisis
3 years, 8 months ago

Alarm grows in Africa as it watches India’s COVID-19 crisis

Associated Press  

NAIROBI, Kenya — Africa is “watching with total disbelief” as India struggles with a devastating resurgence in COVID-19 cases, the continent’s top public health official said Thursday, as African officials worry about delays in vaccine deliveries caused by India’s crisis. “What is happening in India cannot be ignored by our continent,” he said, and urged African countries to avoid mass …

Worldwide Covid-19 death toll tops a staggering 3 million
3 years, 8 months ago

Worldwide Covid-19 death toll tops a staggering 3 million

India Today  

The global death toll from the coronavirus topped a staggering 3 million people Saturday amid repeated setbacks in the worldwide vaccination campaign and a deepening crisis in places such as Brazil, India and France. “This is not the situation we want to be in 16 months into a pandemic, where we have proven control measures,” said Maria Van Kerkhove, one …

Ghana becomes first country to receive Covid-19 vaccine through COVAX program
3 years, 10 months ago

Ghana becomes first country to receive Covid-19 vaccine through COVAX program

CNN  

CNN — Ghana has become the first country to receive Covid-19 vaccines through the World Health Organization’s COVAX program on Wednesday, a joint statement issued by UNICEF Ghana and WHO Ghana said. As the plane carrying the vaccines landed, state-run Ghana Broadcasting Corporation journalist Abdul Hayi-Moomen declared: “The flight carrying the vaccines that we so much look forward to receiving, …

Four detected with South Africa strain of Covid-19 in India in January
3 years, 10 months ago

Four detected with South Africa strain of Covid-19 in India in January

Live Mint  

The Union Government today said that four cases of covid-19 with South Africa strain have been detected in the country in January. In India, the South Africa strain has been detected in four returnees -- one from Angola, one from Tanzania and two from South Africa in January, ICMR Director General Balram Bhargava said. "In India, the South African strain …

In switch, South Africa to give health workers J&J vaccine
3 years, 11 months ago

In switch, South Africa to give health workers J&J vaccine

Associated Press  

JOHANNESBURG — South Africa will start vaccinating front-line health workers next week with a shot that is still in testing — an unorthodox strategy announced Wednesday after officials abandoned plans to use another vaccine that a small study suggests is only minimally effective against the variant dominant in the country. Health Minister Zweli Mkhize said South Africa would switch to …

‘Dominant’ S Africa strain powering COVID second wave in Africa
3 years, 11 months ago

‘Dominant’ S Africa strain powering COVID second wave in Africa

Al Jazeera  

WHO says more transmissible variant fuelling surge in case loads, as Africa CDC agrees deal for 400 million vaccine doses. With the new doses, on top of the 270 million doses announced earlier this month from Pfizer, AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson, “I think we’re beginning to make very good progress,” Africa CDC director John Nkengasong told reporters. The UN’s …

Battling COVID-19, South Africa prepares for first vaccines
3 years, 11 months ago

Battling COVID-19, South Africa prepares for first vaccines

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Battling a COVID-19 resurgence driven …

Global number of COVID cases surpasses 100 million
3 years, 11 months ago

Global number of COVID cases surpasses 100 million

Al Jazeera  

Pandemic continues to grow as variants pose new challenges amid concerns over supply and distribution of vaccines. “This is a situation where we have seen those countries that have acted early and where political leaders have listened to public health advisers tend to do much better in containing the virus than those countries where we have seen more populist leaders, …

New Covid variant has emerged in Nigeria, says Africa CDC
4 years ago

New Covid variant has emerged in Nigeria, says Africa CDC

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Another new variant of the …

‘Moral issue’: African official blasts COVID vaccine inequality
4 years, 1 month ago

‘Moral issue’: African official blasts COVID vaccine inequality

Al Jazeera  

Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention director warned continent might not see vaccines until after the second quarter of 2021. Africa’s top public health official has said “it will be extremely terrible to see” rich countries receiving COVID-19 vaccines while African countries go without it, especially as a new surge in cases begins on the continent of 1.3 billion …

African continent hits 2 million confirmed coronavirus cases
4 years, 1 month ago

African continent hits 2 million confirmed coronavirus cases

Associated Press  

NAIROBI, Kenya — Africa has surpassed 2 million confirmed coronavirus cases as the continent’s top public health official warned Thursday that “we are inevitably edging toward a second wave” of infections. The African continent of 1.3 billion people is being warned against “prevention fatigue” as countries loosen pandemic restrictions to ease their economies’ suffering and more people travel. He expressed …

Africa Surpasses 2 Million Coronavirus Cases
4 years, 1 month ago

Africa Surpasses 2 Million Coronavirus Cases

NPR  

Africa Surpasses 2 Million Coronavirus Cases Enlarge this image toggle caption Jerome Delay/AP Jerome Delay/AP The African continent has reached the somber milestone of 2 million coronavirus cases as of Thursday. With 1.3 billion people inhabiting 54 countries spread across the continent's 11.7 million square miles, the measure of Africa's 2 million cases is a success story. If we relent, …

As US struggles, Africa’s COVID-19 response is praised
4 years, 3 months ago

As US struggles, Africa’s COVID-19 response is praised

Associated Press  

JOHANNESBURG — At a lecture to peers this month, John Nkengasong showed images that once dogged Africa, with a magazine cover declaring it “The Hopeless Continent.” Then he quoted Ghana’s first president, Kwame Nkrumah: “It is clear that we must find an African solution to our problems, and that this can only be found in African unity.” The coronavirus pandemic …

As rich nations struggle, Africa's virus response is praised
4 years, 3 months ago

As rich nations struggle, Africa's virus response is praised

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. In an interview with The Associated Press, he didn’t …

All nations should join global coronavirus vaccine effort: African CDC
4 years, 4 months ago

All nations should join global coronavirus vaccine effort: African CDC

India Today  

The World Health Organization wants to secure an initial 230 million doses of any COVID-19 vaccine for Africa, officials said Thursday, while emphasising that any vaccine in development should also be tested on the continent. The global vaccine allocation plan, called COVAX, aims to help buy and fairly distribute deliver 2 billion doses of approved vaccines by the end of …

Africa begins continent-wide study of COVID-19 antibodies
4 years, 5 months ago

Africa begins continent-wide study of COVID-19 antibodies

Associated Press  

JOHANNESBURG — An Africa-wide study of antibodies to the coronavirus has begun, while evidence from a smaller study indicates that many more people have been infected than official numbers show, the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Thursday. “What is important is far fewer people are coming down with the disease,” Africa CDC director John Nkengasong told reporters. …

Africa passes 1M confirmed virus cases; true number far more
4 years, 5 months ago

Africa passes 1M confirmed virus cases; true number far more

Associated Press  

JOHANNESBURG — Africa’s confirmed coronavirus cases have surpassed 1 million, but global health experts say the true toll is likely several times higher, reflecting the gaping lack of testing for the continent’s 1.3 billion people. The country has Africa’s most extensive testing and data collection, and yet a South African Medical Research Council report last week showed many COVID-19 deaths …

Coronavirus in Africa: Nigeria has tested less than 1% of its population. Here’s why.
4 years, 5 months ago

Coronavirus in Africa: Nigeria has tested less than 1% of its population. Here’s why.

CNN  

Lagos, Nigeria CNN — More than one million people in Africa have been infected with the novel coronavirus but health experts say the numbers do not give a “full picture” of the outbreak on the continent. Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, of the World Health Organization, said the cases are a small fraction of the global count but low testing in many …

Africa passes 1 million confirmed virus cases; true number far more
4 years, 5 months ago

Africa passes 1 million confirmed virus cases; true number far more

India Today  

Africa's confirmed coronavirus cases have surpassed 1 million, but global health experts say the true toll is likely several times higher, reflecting the gaping lack of testing for the continent's 1.3 billion people. The country has Africa's most extensive testing and data collection, and yet a South African Medical Research Council report last week showed many Covid-19 deaths were going …

South Africa sees dip in new coronavirus cases
4 years, 5 months ago

South Africa sees dip in new coronavirus cases

Deccan Chronicle  

Johannesburg: South Africa's health minister on Wednesday reported decreasing rates of new confirmed cases of COVID-19 but warned that vigilance must continue "to prevent a renewed surge." More than 24,000 of South Africa's health care workers have been infected by the coronavirus, with 181 deaths, the health minister said, noting that they account for 5 per cent of the country's …

South Africa sees dip in new virus cases but warns of return
4 years, 5 months ago

South Africa sees dip in new virus cases but warns of return

Associated Press  

JOHANNESBURG — South Africa’s health minister on Wednesday reported decreasing rates of new confirmed cases of COVID-19 but warned that vigilance must continue “to prevent a renewed surge.” South Africa has 521,318 confirmed coronavirus cases, the fifth highest in the world and more than half of all reported cases in Africa, according to the Africa Centers for Disease Control and …

South Africa hits half a million cases, still not at its peak
4 years, 5 months ago

South Africa hits half a million cases, still not at its peak

Deccan Chronicle  

Johannesburg: South Africa’s confirmed cases of COVID-19 have crossed half a million, its health ministry said on Saturday, while cases in Africa as a whole approached a million. Africa’s most industrialised nation recorded 10,107 new confirmed cases of COVID-19, the respiratory illness caused by the novel coronavirus, pushing the total to 503,290, the ministry said. Just over 3 million people …

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