According to figures released Wednesday 8th by the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the confirmed cases of COVID-19 from 55 African countries have reached 507,930. In addition, Africa’s confirmed COVID-19 total reported deaths have reached 11,959 and recoveries 244,815.
The numbers are compiled by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University (world map) using statistics from the World Health Organization and other international institutions.
The true number of cases among Africa’s 1.3 billion people is unknown as its 55 countries continue to face a serious shortage of testing materials for the virus. “A tremendous problem, a real crisis of access,” the World Health Organization’s Africa chief, Matshidiso Moeti, said last week.
Africa’s health systems are the most poorly funded and thinly staffed in the world, and already more than 2,000 health workers have been infected by the virus, according to the WHO.
So far, in less than five months, the virus has claimed 11 959 lives, overtaking the 11 308 lives lost in the world’s worst Ebola outbreak in West Africa between 2014 and 2016 according to the WHO.
Top 5 African countries With Highest COVID-19 Cases
According to the World Health Organization, Algeria, Egypt, Ghana, Nigeria, and South Africa account for about 71% of COVID-19 cases. South Africa alone accounts for 43% of the continent’s total cases.
South Africa
The country has the most reported Coronavirus cases totaling to 215,855, with deaths numbering 3,502 and 102,299 recoveries.
Egypt
The country has recorded over 77,279 Coronavirus Cases 3,489 Deaths and 21,718 recoveries according to World Meter
Nigeria
According to World Meter, Nigeria has a total of 29,789 Coronavirus cases, 669 deaths and 12,108 recoveries.
Algeria
Algeria has recorded a total of 16,879 Coronavirus cases according to World Meter, 968 deaths and 12,094 recoveries
Ghana
The country has so far recorded 21,968 Coronavirus cases, 129 deaths as 17,156 people have recovered from the virus according to World Meter.
WHO is working to support countries respond to COVID-19 by providing technical guidance, crucial medical equipment, and has remotely trained more than 25 000 health workers.
WHO has also organized more than 420 shipments of key equipment, including more than 3000 oxygen concentrators, 23 000 GeneXpert diagnostic testing machines, and almost 4 million pieces of personal protective equipment for health care workers.
Compiled by Nsunjo Erica