Coronavirus: WHO deploys team to South Africa
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has deployed a team of health experts to South Africa to assist the country contain the coronavirus pandemic.
Daily Times gathered that South Africa has the highest caseload in the Africa and is fifth in the world with 521,318 confirmed coronavirus cases and 8,884 Covid-19 deaths, according to the Africa Center for Disease Control and Prevention (AfricaCDC).
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Studies of excess mortality rates indicate the actual toll could be higher.
The WHO, Africa region office announced that a team of 43 experts from various fields to support the Covid-19 outbreak response management. The first 17 health expects will arrive today and include key expertise in epidemiology, surveillance, case management, infection, prevention and control, procurement, as well as community mobilization and health education.
The surge team will be jointly led by Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa and Dr Michael Ryan, Executive Director of the WHO Health Emergencies Programme. They will work virtually from Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo and Geneva, Switzerland respectively to support the experts on the ground.
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According to WHO, the deployments have emanated from continued discussions between the Minister of Health, Dr Zweli Mkhize, and WHO global and regional leadership.
