Africa reported its first Coronavirus case in February and since then at least 200,000 people have been infected while 5,000 have succumbed to the killer virus.
The World Health Organization says the Coronavirus is currently in almost all African countries and the number of cases is likely to increase further in the coming days.
WHO data reveal that it took 98 days (more than three months) for the virus to hit the 100,000 marks while it only took 19 days (almost three weeks) for the virus to hit the 200,000 mark which indicates that the infection is still spreading at an alarming rate.
“So, even though these cases in Africa account for less than three percent of the global total, it is clear that the pandemic is accelerating,” said WHO Regional Director Matshidiso Moeti.
The numbers in Africa represent three percent of the global numbers which have already surpassed seven million infections and 400,000 deaths.
The WHO regional director argues that Africa reported the first cases late which had given the continent ample time to prepare its health systems and put up restrictions.
The low numbers can be attributed to the early restrictions put in place to curb the virus but the numbers are still expected to take a steady rise in the continent.
According to the WHO director, ten of the 54 countries in Africa are currently driving the numbers, and they account for 75 percent of the total cases. Five countries account for 71 percent of the total deaths.
South Africa is currently the most affected country in Africa and its cases are similar to those of Europe where severity and deaths are high among the old aged mostly 60 years and above.
However, some of the challenges Africa is facing in combatting the virus are poor health systems that are not adequately equipped, the transmission of the virus in the informal settlements which are heavily congested, and transmissions from urban areas to rural areas which makes it difficult to monitor and contain the spread.
Just like other continents, the virus has taken a toll on Africa’s economy and the effects have been huge. Since a good number are working in the informal sector, Governments are being forced to choose between saving lives or saving livelihoods.