Here Is Why Africa Could Be the Next COVID-19 Epicenter

Ever since the Coronavirus started spreading outside China, World Health Organization experts started showing their concerns to vulnerable continents, especially Africa.

The WHO was afraid that most African countries were not adequately prepared to tackle any form of pandemic including the Covid-19 that has since infected over 2 million people and killed up to 165,000 people globally.

Earlier, the black continent was reporting very few cases of Covid-19 cases, an issue that left scientists asking questions while at the same time, black people thought they were immune to the virus.

The truth is, the virus was giving Africa time. Time to prepare and understand their situation, their vulnerability and their ability to deal with the worst that was yet to come.

The virus is now in Africa and it is spreading, though not as rapid as compared to China, Europe, and the US. Currently, Africa has over 19,000 infections and up to 950 deaths.

Projections

Several models have revealed that Africa could have up to 30 million Covid-19 cases with over 300,000 deaths. Though these models have left out the option of behavioral change.30 million people could also be left languishing in poverty if this devastating projection comes to pass.

Why Africa still has a few cases.

For one reason or another, Africa has survived the first kick and has reported very few cases so far as compared to other continents. But if there is a second kick, will we survive?

The spread of Covid-19 has been following a certain pattern and it has hit those who were neglecting its existence the most.

China was its country of origin, and the first epicenter then followed Italy and the entire Europe, and now the United States of America.

Despite some of the most affected countries having the best resources to fight the Covid-19 pandemic, they were brought down to their knees.so what would beget Africa, A poor and vulnerable continent?

Perhaps, the Covid-19 pandemic has sent a message to the entire world that no one knows about the future in as much as they have won fights in the past.

Experts say the countries with the highest Covid-19 cases had the highest number of international travels. Africa, on the other hand, had fewer international flights thus fewer cases.

“If you look at the proportion of people who travel, Africa has fewer people who are traveling internationally,” argued WHO Africa director Dr. Matshidiso Moeti.

Here is why Africa could be next epicenter of Covid-19

1. Level of Preparedness

No country was prepared for such a devastating pandemic but some had set aside funds and resources in case of any emergency. This was not the case in most countries in Africa.

Most African countries were slow to start preparing for the Covid-19 despite being advised by international agencies to do so.

Some Governments waited until cases started being reported in their countries is when they took action.

Most African countries still require test kits, face masks, isolation facilities, beds, additional medics, and ventilators.

The WHO says there are only around five intensive care beds available for every one million people in most African countries, compared with around 4,000 beds for every million people in Europe.

“We want to minimize the proportion of people who get to the point of needing critical care in an ICU because we know that these types of facilities are not adequate by any means in the majority of African countries.”

2. Behavior Change

WHO has concluded that positive behavior change is the key to fighting the spread of Covid-19 in the World. This is not something to tell an African.

People are still defying social distancing rules, going to social gatherings, walking around without wearing facemasks, sneaking out of quarantine facilities and sneaking their way if they are barred from moving to certain places.

In some African countries, life is still very normal as people have put their thoughts fixed to a dogmatic belief,” God Loves Us.”

3. Health Care workers

This is the time when being a health care worker is the riskiest thing. It requires courage and cautiousness.

In Africa though, the case is very different. There is a shortage of protective gear for healthcare workers putting their lives and those they are taking care of at risk of contracting the Covid-19.

4. Overcrowded Slums

Other than being overcrowded, slums are also very unhygienic, a situation that could make the contagious Covid-19 spread like wildfire.

Nearly 60 percent of urban dwellers in Africa live in overcrowded slums with a good number representing low paid individuals.

An example is Kenya’s Kibera Slums in the country’s capital Nairobi. Any form of contagious infection could thrive so well in this area and thousands could end up being infected.

5. Water and Sanitation

WHO reveals that almost a third of Africa’s population lacks access to an adequate water supply. With water being seen as an important requirement in reducing the spread of Covid-19, Africa is in a bad situation.