More than 769 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in 34 African countries, a significant increase compared to 147 positives a week ago, according to the latest data provided by the World Health Organization (WHO) on March 19. The agency stressed that although there has been a significant increase in infections in the region, it continues to be a lower figure than in other parts of the world. “The rapid evolution of COVID-19 in Africa is deeply worrying and constitutes a clear signal for action, “said Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa, in a statement released Thursday by the organization. “But we can still change the course of this pandemic. Governments must harness all their resources and capabilities and reinforce their response.” 12 countries in the African region are currently experiencing local, that is, non-imported infections. It is essential, says the WHO, that the authorities prevent local transmission from leading to a worse scenario of “widespread and sustained” community transmission, which will represent a great challenge for countries with “weak health systems.” “Africa can learn from the experiences from other countries that have experienced a sharp decline in COVID-19 cases through rapid expansion of evidence, isolation of cases and careful follow-up of contacts, “said Moeti. 45 countries prepared to testThe organization has warned that understanding how the coronavirus will evolve in Africa is still an ongoing task, since it will be necessary to adapt the response to the African context, since the demography of the continent is very different from that of China, Europe and the United States: “Africa It has the youngest population in the world and older people appear to be more vulnerable to COVID-19. “However, they recall, the an Preliminary analysis concludes that people with previous pathologies are at increased risk and indicate that throughout the region, nearly 26 million people living with HIV and more than 58 million children have stunted growth due to malnutrition. “Young people may therefore be at greater risk in Africa than in other parts of the world,” they warn from the Brazzaville headquarters.210🇪🇬EGY150🇿🇦ZAF83🇩🇿DZA61🇲🇦MAR40🇧🇫BFA39🇹🇳TUN38 🇸🇳SEN15🇨🇲CMR14🇨🇩COD12🇳🇬NGA11🇬🇭GHA11🇷🇼RWA9🇨🇮CIV9🇪🇹ETH9🇹🇬TGO7🇰🇪KEN7🇲🇺MUS6🇸🇨SYC6🇹🇿TZA4🇬🇶GNQ3🇨🇬COG3🇬🇦GAB3🇳🇦 NAM2🇧🇯BEN2🇬🇳GIN2🇱🇷LBR2🇲🇷MTR2🇿🇲ZMB1🇨🇫CAF1🇬🇲GMB1🇸🇿SWZ1🇸🇩SDN1🇹🇩TCD https://t.co/FKav40Cbdd# COVID19pic.twitter.com/nXVJwuMfXb– WHO African Region (@WHOAFRO) March 20, 2020In the note, the agency notes that it is supporting African governments to achieve early detection by supplying test kits, training laboratory technicians, and strengthening surveillance in communities. One piece of information is key in this regard: 45 countries in Africa can now carry out tests to detect the coronavirus, when only two could do so at the start of the outbreak. The entity is also providing remote support to affected countries by providing data so that health authorities nationals can better understand the outbreak in their countries. Personal protective equipment has been dispatched to 24 countries, and a second shipment is being prepared for countries with confirmed cases. The organization notes that the lessons learned in the fight against previous epidemics, such as Ebola, are being used as a basis to respond. to the coronavirus. Basic preventive measures are “the most powerful tool”, according to the WHO, and therefore ensure that they are collaborating with local and national authorities to create hotlines, prevent the spread of rumors, and develop radio messages and television commercials. to inform the population about the risks and preventive measures against the pandemic. COVID-19 disease “is one of the greatest health challenges Africa has faced in a generation,” said Moeti. “We can only stop this virus through solidarity. And the world is coming together. Donors are stepping forward and providing funding, while the private sector in many countries is also offering their support.”
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