COVID-19: WHO urges Africa to prepare, Algeria confirms continent's second case

Following the confirmation of the second case of coronavirus, formally called COVID-19, the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti, has urged all countries in the region to prepare for the deadly virus.

Coronavirus was first detected in China in December 2019 and has spread to more than 30 other countries, including the U.S., U.K., Singapore, France, Russia, Spain, India and lately, Italy.

In China, the death toll from the outbreak reached 2,663 on Tuesday, with nearly 76,700 confirmed cases as health experts scramble to find a cure.

The first-ever recorded case of COVID-19 in Africa was reported earlier in February by the Egyptian authorities.

Algeria’s health ministry reported the country’s first case, Africa's second, of the virus after tests indicated that an Italian man who arrived in the country on Feb. 17 had tested positive.

Moeti who made the call in her twitter handle @Moeti Tshidi said Algeria had just announced the first case of COVID-19.

“The window of opportunity the continent has had to prepare for the coronavirus is closing. All countries must ramp up their preparedness activities.”

Meanwhile, at an emergency meeting on Saturday with African health ministers at the African Union Commission in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, WHO pledged to support Africa in its response plan.

It pledged to support Africa on joint coronavirus disease preparedness and response strategies as the threats loom over the continent.

However, WHO had conducted a survey with countries to assess their overall readiness for COVID-19 and found Africa readiness level was estimated at 66 per cent.

Moeti said there was still a gap to be filled in the continent level of readiness.

“We need urgently to prioritise strengthening the capacities for countries to investigate alerts, treat patients in isolation facilities and improve infection, prevention and control in health facilities and in communities,’’ she said.

NAN