WHO calls for stronger action as covid-19 rise in Africa
Doosuur Iwambe, Abuja
As the second wave of covid-19 pandemic rises, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has called on African countries to take stronger action to curb the spread of the disease.
Speaking during a press conference, Dr Richard Mihigo, Immunization and Vaccine Development Programme Coordinator at WHO Regional Office for Africa urged countries to carry out assessments at the sub-national level and identify high-risk areas so that local governments can adjust their public health measures accordingly and be agile in their decision-making.
Joined at the briefing by Mr Thabani Maphosa, Managing Director of Country Programmes, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the global health body expressed worry that COVID-19 cases in the African region have risen steadily over the past two months.
This development it noted underscored the need for reinforced public health measures to avert a surge in infections, particularly as people gather or travel for end-of-year celebrations.
The WHO said that an average of 46 000 cases were recorded weekly in 47 countries in the WHO African region compared with about 29 000 cases per week between early September and early October.
The world health body said that about ten countries in the region have reported the highest number of cases, accounting for 88% of new cases in the past month. However, seven countries have recorded a steady decline in cases over the past four weeks.
They attributed the development to increased movement and interactions as well as relaxed observance of public health measures such as physical distancing and wearing of masks are some of the factors behind the upsurge in cases.
‘’Gatherings such as political rallies or in close settings like schools have also contributed to the rise in infections’’, the WHO said.
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Dr Mihigo who expressed worry over the rising COVID-19 infections and the holiday season said, “Preventive measures must be tightened up not only to limit the risks of infections during the festive season but stand as permanent barriers against the spread of COVID-19. Complacency has no place in the fight against this pandemic’’.
Also, said Dr Nsenga Ngoy, the Emergency Response Programme Manager at WHO Regional Office for Africa who acknowledged that trying to revive economies and livelihoods devastated by the pandemic while striving to limit the spread of COVID-19 is a very tough balancing act said, “ we cannot emphasize enough how important it is not to let our guard down. The likelihood of an increase in cases in the coming weeks can be averted by doubling down our efforts’’.
Meanwhile, the WHO has pledged it continued support to countries to maintain strong public health measures, decentralize response and step up preparedness for the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines as soon as they become available.
