Has Covid-19 Taken A Different Direction In Africa?

Covid-19 seems to be taking a different direction in Africa as compared to other continents according to the World Health Organization’s experts.

Since the first case was reported fourteen weeks ago, the number of infections in Africa recently reached the 100,000 marks with over 3100 fatalities, and about 41,400 recoveries a situation that is different in other continents where Covid-19 has increased at an exponential rate.

The numbers in Africa have been relatively low despite the continent having poor health conditions as well as poor facilities to fight the spread of Covid-19.

WHO however has an explanation for this, attributing the low numbers to demographical and other possible factors.

In terms of demography, 60 percent of Africa’s population is of ages 25 and below meaning that the probability of having severe Covid-19 cases is very low as compared to other continents that have aging populations.

“For now COVID-19 has made a soft landfall in Africa, and the continent has been spared the high numbers of deaths which have devastated other regions of the world,’ argues WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti.

Covid-19 seems to be spreading faster in countries with aged people and it has also killed more people in such countries because the old age comes with health complications that make Coronavirus more severe.

‘It is possible our youth dividend is paying off and leading to fewer deaths. But we must not be lulled into complacency as our health systems are fragile and are less able to cope with a sudden increase in cases,” he added.

Projections had earlier suggested that Africa was headed for a worse situation if Covid-19 takes a visit to the continent following its vulnerable but the projections have not come to pass.

This however does not call for laxity and easing of restrictions which has been evident among African countries and other nations around the world.

Globally, the infections have hit 5.2 million with WHO revealing that the epicenter has shifted from North America to South America. Brazil is now the second most affected country after the US.