African nation blasts ‘inequality crisis’ in virus testing
4 years, 5 months ago

African nation blasts ‘inequality crisis’ in virus testing

Associated Press  

JOHANNESBURG — Central African Republic’s health minister is blasting the “big inequality crisis” in coronavirus testing as he sees rich countries like Britain conduct scores of thousands of tests daily while his own struggles to obtain supplies for a couple hundred at most. Pierre Somse told a World Health Organization briefing Thursday that “we are in a scarcity, a misery of tests” — a blunt assessment of the scrambling by African nations and rising fears as the pandemic’s first wave hits the continent of 1.3 billion people. That’s when “we’ll really need global solidarity in action.” In a separate briefing Thursday, the head of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the intellectual property from any effective vaccine should be made available for local manufacturing and swifter distribution on the continent. Nkengasong also warned that as Africa’s cases continue to climb sharply “we are in for a long, long journey.” ___ Follow AP pandemic coverage at http://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak

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History of this topic

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

As rich nations race ahead, Africa barely makes a dent with COVID vaccinations
3 years, 7 months ago

As rich nations race ahead, Africa barely makes a dent with COVID vaccinations

LA Times  

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 that some of the world’s poorest nations get a fair share of vaccines in a marketplace where they can’t …

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 …

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. …

South Africa records grim Covid-19 milestone as humanitarian crisis unfolds at border with Zimbabwe
4 years ago

South Africa records grim Covid-19 milestone as humanitarian crisis unfolds at border with Zimbabwe

CNN  

CNN — South Africa has reported a “grim milestone” with 844 deaths and 20000 new Covid cases reported in 24 hours on Wednesday, sparking fears of stricter lockdown measures as the country battles with an influx of immigrants from neighboring Zimbabwe. At the same time, there are heightened fears of a humanitarian crisis at the country’s border with Zimbabwe where …

New coronavirus strain is driving resurgence of infections in South Africa
4 years ago

New coronavirus strain is driving resurgence of infections in South Africa

LA Times  

A man waits to pay for a coronavirus test at a private laboratory in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Saturday. South Africa has announced that a new variant of the coronavirus is driving the country’s current resurgence of COVID-19, with higher numbers of infections, hospitalizations and deaths. The new strain, known as 501.V2, is dominant among new confirmed infections in South …

African health official blasts ‘terrible’ vaccine inequality
4 years, 1 month ago

African health official blasts ‘terrible’ vaccine inequality

Associated Press  

NAIROBI, Kenya — “It will be extremely terrible to see” rich countries receiving COVID-19 vaccines while African countries go without, especially as a new surge in cases begins on the continent of 1.3 billion people, Africa’s top public health official said Thursday. Nkengasong urged the United Nations to summon a special session to discuss the ethical, fair distribution of vaccines …

‘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, …

South Africa’s president in quarantine as virus cases rise
4 years, 2 months ago

South Africa’s president in quarantine as virus cases rise

Associated Press  

JOHANNESBURG — South African president Cyril Ramaphosa has announced he has gone into quarantine after coming into contact with a dinner guest who has tested positive for COVID-19. The 7-day rolling average of daily new cases in South Africa has risen over the past two weeks from 2.72 new cases per 100,000 people on Oct. 13 to 2.78 new cases …

Nigerian scientists develop cheaper and faster Covid-19 test kits
4 years, 3 months ago

Nigerian scientists develop cheaper and faster Covid-19 test kits

CNN  

CNN — Scientists in Nigeria have developed a cheaper and faster Covid-19 test kit that will enable testing to be ramped up in a place that has faced kit shortages and chronic under-testing of a massive population, according to the country’s health authorities. Although Salako added that the detection rate of the NIMR test kit is “a bit lower than …

WHO to roll out 120 million rapid COVID-19 tests that promises result 'in minutes' for poorer countries
4 years, 3 months ago

WHO to roll out 120 million rapid COVID-19 tests that promises result 'in minutes' for poorer countries

Firstpost  

Rolling out quicker testing in poorer countries aims to help health care workers get a better grip on where the coronavirus is circulating, in hopes of following up with containment and other measures to stop it The World Health Organization announced on 28 September that it and leading partners have agreed to a plan to roll out 120 million rapid-diagnostic …

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 …

With 5,79,000 Confirmed Covid-19 Cases, National State of Disaster Extended Till September 15 in South Africa
4 years, 4 months ago

With 5,79,000 Confirmed Covid-19 Cases, National State of Disaster Extended Till September 15 in South Africa

News 18  

The National State of Disaster, which was declared in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, has been extended till September 15 in South Africa, President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced. "The move to Level-2 means that we can remove nearly all the restrictions on the resumption of economic activity across most industries," Ramaphosa said on Saturday evening and explained how the …

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 …

South Africa surpasses UK in confirmed coronavirus cases
4 years, 6 months ago

South Africa surpasses UK in confirmed coronavirus cases

Deccan Chronicle  

Johannesberg: South Africa on Tuesday surpassed the U.K. in its number of confirmed coronavirus cases as the country’s president warns of “the gravest crisis in the history of our democracy.” South Africa now has the world’s eighth-highest number of cases at 298,292, which represents nearly half of all the confirmed cases on the African continent. That’s according to a Health …

Coronavirus cases surge across Africa and India, highlighting inequality
4 years, 6 months ago

Coronavirus cases surge across Africa and India, highlighting inequality

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 confirmed coronavirus cases …

Protest versus Africa’s 1st COVID-19 vaccine test shows fear
4 years, 6 months ago

Protest versus Africa’s 1st COVID-19 vaccine test shows fear

Associated Press  

JOHANNESBURG — Protesters against Africa’s first COVID-19 vaccine trial burned their face masks Wednesday as experts note a worrying level of resistance and misinformation around testing on the continent. Anti-vaccine sentiment in Africa is “the worst I’ve ever seen,” the CEO of the GAVI vaccine alliance, Seth Berkley, told an African Union vaccine conference last week. The Ethiopian director of …

UN: Pandemic appears to be peaking in several big countries
4 years, 6 months ago

UN: Pandemic appears to be peaking in several big countries

Associated Press  

GENEVA — A record level of new daily COVID-19 cases worldwide could suggest the pandemic is peaking in some large countries, even as the coronavirus has become “well established” in some regions, the World Health Organization’s emergencies chief said Monday. “We do not believe this is a testing phenomenon,” he said, noting that many countries have also noted marked increases …

Africa coronavirus: countries are still waiting for a surge in cases as experts question whether it will happen
4 years, 6 months ago

Africa coronavirus: countries are still waiting for a surge in cases as experts question whether it will happen

CNN  

Johannesburg CNN — On February 28, at around one in the morning, Dr. John Nkengasong’s cellphone rang in Addis Ababa. Why it didn’t happen, and whether the worst still could happen, is one of the most consequential public health questions facing officials on the continent at this stage of the pandemic. Karamagi also says that the lower rates on the …

President ‘worried’ as South Africa’s virus cases rise fast
4 years, 7 months ago

President ‘worried’ as South Africa’s virus cases rise fast

Associated Press  

CAPE TOWN, South Africa — South Africa’s numbers of COVID-19 are “rising fast,” according to President Cyril Ramaphosa, who says that he’s worried. More than half of South Africa’s more than 50,000 confirmed cases have been recorded in the last two weeks, prompting concerns that Africa’s most developed economy is about to see a steep rise in infections. South Africa’s …

S Africa court rules some coronavirus curbs invalid: Live updates
4 years, 7 months ago

S Africa court rules some coronavirus curbs invalid: Live updates

Al Jazeera  

South Africa’s gov’t said it was studying a High Court decision declaring its COVID-19 restrictions as unconstitutional. Trump and Bolsonaro “expressed their mutual appreciation for the longstanding collaboration on health issues between the two countries,” the White House said, discussing the US delivery of 2 million doses of the controversial drug to Brazil and “a joint research effort to help …

South Africa has virus testing backlog of nearly 100,000
4 years, 7 months ago

South Africa has virus testing backlog of nearly 100,000

Associated Press  

JOHANNESBURG — South Africa says it has a backlog of nearly 100,000 unprocessed tests for the coronavirus, a striking example of the painful shortage of testing kits and reagents across Africa as cases steadily rise. Across Africa slightly under 2 million tests for the virus have been conducted, Nkengasong said, far below the target of testing 13 million people — …

South Africa's lauded community screening strategy hits limits as virus spreads
4 years, 7 months ago

South Africa's lauded community screening strategy hits limits as virus spreads

Deccan Chronicle  

Johannesburg: With an expert flick of the wrist, South African nurse Bhelekazi Mdlalose collected throat swabs from young men lining up for coronavirus testing at a run-down hostel in downtown Johannesburg. But as South Africa's coronavirus outbreak picks up pace -- with confirmed cases creeping over 13,500, including 247 deaths -- Mdlalose and other health experts are beginning to see …

South Africa records highest daily COVID-19 infections a day before easing lockdown looms
4 years, 8 months ago

South Africa records highest daily COVID-19 infections a day before easing lockdown looms

The Hindu  

The number of COVID-19 cases in South Africa surged past the 5,000-mark on Thursday after it recorded the highest single-day jump, just a day before the country was set to gradually ease its over a month-long nationwide lockdown. Health Minister Zweli Mkhize said that there had been a 73% daily increase in confirmed COVID-19 infections, with 354 new cases taking …

South Africa’s painful past HIV failures is helping the country to fight Covid-19
4 years, 8 months ago

South Africa’s painful past HIV failures is helping the country to fight Covid-19

CNN  

Thokoza, South Africa CNN — When President Donald Trump mused recently about injecting household disinfectants as treatment for Covid-19 in the White House briefing room, South Africans were reminded of their own dark past. “Quite frankly, without the PEPFAR investment in South Africa, we wouldn’t have more than a million people on treatment, a significant reduction in the number of …

Africa dangerously behind in global race for virus gear
4 years, 8 months ago

Africa dangerously behind in global race for virus gear

Associated Press  

JOHANNESBURG — Africa’s coronavirus cases have surged 43% in the past week but its countries are dangerously behind in the global race for scarce medical equipment. While many African nations have money on hand, the trading companies they use face extreme challenges: “Country X can go and say, ‘I’ll pay you double what you’re offered.’” In the United States, the …

Africa’s 43% jump in virus cases in 1 week worries experts
4 years, 8 months ago

Africa’s 43% jump in virus cases in 1 week worries experts

Associated Press  

CAPE TOWN, South Africa — Africa registered a 43% jump in reported COVID-19 cases in the last week, highlighting a warning from the World Health Organization that the continent of 1.3 billion could become the next epicenter of the global outbreak. Africa also has a “very, very limited” and “very, very strained” testing capacity, John Nkengasong, director of the Africa …

Coronavirus | Africa could see 300,000 deaths this year in best-case scenario, says U.N. report
4 years, 8 months ago

Coronavirus | Africa could see 300,000 deaths this year in best-case scenario, says U.N. report

The Hindu  

Africa could see 300,000 deaths from the coronavirus even under the best-case scenario, according to a new report released Friday that cites modelling from Imperial College London. Also | Interactive graphic tracking global spread of coronavirus - WHO Under the worst-case scenario with no interventions against the virus, Africa could see 3.3 million deaths and 1.2 billion infections, the report …

Africa to roll out more than 1 million coronavirus tests
4 years, 8 months ago

Africa to roll out more than 1 million coronavirus tests

The Hindu  

More than 1 million coronavirus tests will be rolled out starting next week in Africa to address the big gap in assessing the true number of cases on the continent, the head of the African Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Thursday. South Africa, the most assertive African nation in testing, has carried out perhaps 80,000 tests so far, …

Some African countries could hit coronavirus peak in weeks: WHO
4 years, 9 months ago

Some African countries could hit coronavirus peak in weeks: WHO

Al Jazeera  

UN health body urges African countries to urgently increase testing and warns the virus’ peak is near. Some African countries could see a peak in coronavirus cases in the coming weeks, and testing should be urgently increased in the region, the World Health Organization said. 200407103942701 The WHO’s Africa head, Matshidiso Moeti, said there is an “urgent need” to expand …

In Zimbabwe, lack of tests sparks fear COVID-19 goes undetected
4 years, 9 months ago

In Zimbabwe, lack of tests sparks fear COVID-19 goes undetected

Al Jazeera  

Harare, Zimbabwe – Health professionals in Zimbabwe have sounded the alarm over the country’s limited capacity to test people for the new coronavirus, warning that a lack of critical equipment and infrastructure shortages may result in many cases going undetected. On Thursday, African Union officials said the continent is “being elbowed out” by rich countries in the global race for …

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