WHO calls for Covid-19 vigilance in Africa as holidays approach

Nineteen countries reported a more than 20% increase in new cases in the past 28 days compared with the previous four weeks, but 17 countries also recorded a decrease of more than 20%.

JOHANNESBURG, November 20 (ANA) – The World Health Organization (WHO) is urging African countries to be on high alert for a possible surge in Covid-19 cases.

The call comes as 20 countries in the region see an increase in the number of cases.

“As we approach the time of year when people move to spend the holidays together, the risk of transmitting Covid-19 is higher,” said regional director of the WHO for Africa Dr Matshidiso Moeti in a statement on Thursday.

“New hotbeds of cases may emerge in places that have not been reached so far, due to travel or gatherings for the festivities. We can, however, mitigate the risks by wearing a mask, limiting the number of people in meetings, maintaining a physical distance from others and maintaining good hand hygiene. We can party, but let’s do it safely. “

WHO identified large gatherings and mobility as risk factors for increasing the spread of Covid-19, and the holiday season may favour these risks, resulting in super-spreader events.

According to WHO, after recording a downward trend followed by a plateau, Africa has seen an increase in the number of cases since the beginning of October. Unlike the first wave of cases that was triggered by high-risk areas in sub-Saharan Africa, the recent rise is mostly in the north African region, where temperatures are starting to drop.

In the 47 countries in the WHO African region, 19 countries reported a more than 20% increase in new cases in the past 28 days, compared with the previous four weeks.

However, 17 countries also recorded a decrease of more than 20% in the number of new cases in the past 28 days, compared with the previous four weeks. There were also more reports of infections and deaths of health workers, especially among the more experienced among them.

As part of an effort to revitalise public health measures, WHO has launched the “On your masks!” campaign, which aims to reach more than 40 million young people in Africa with positive messages on the proper use of masks through social networks, and to fight slackness, weariness and misunderstanding around Covid-19 prevention measures.

“At this critical time, as Africa begins to see an increase in the number of cases, we need to re-energise and recommit to wearing masks. I know many find public health measures tedious, but without action by all of us, Africa is at risk of yet another rise in Covid-19 cases,” said Moeti.

– African News Agency (ANA); Editing by Yaron Blecher