The World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Director for Africa, Dr.
Matshidiso Moeti; has said that the coronavirus (COVID-19) cases; have
hit 36,000 with 1,500 deaths in Africa.
According to her, national and regional lockdowns have assisted in
slowing down the spread of the virus.
Moeti in a statement Thursday in Maiduguri warned that COVID-19
remains a considerable public health threat.
While lamenting African countries’ lockdown relaxes, she said: said:
“Lockdowns are being eased in some parts of Africa, but we cannot just
revert back to how things were before the outbreak.
“If governments abruptly end these measures, we risk losing the gains
countries have made so far against COVID-19.”
She noted that as some countries begin to ease lockdowns, it is
important to maintain strong surveillance, case finding and testing
among other control measures to halt pandemic.
According to her, West and Central Africa are regions of concern, as
they recorded 11,000 cases with 300 people died from the disease.
She noted that the rate of spread of virus in West Africa stood at 42 per cent.
“The worst fears of public health officials and governments have not
yet come to pass,” she further lamented.
She said there should be prompt action by governments to implement
lockdowns and physical distancing, alongside effective public health
measures.
She explained that testing and tracing to treat COVID-19 have slowed
down its spread.
