COVID-19: Infection rises to over 19,000 in Africa

Africa is beginning to feel the pressure of the deadly coronavirus as cases rise to more than 19,000 in about 52 states, according to reports.

This shows that the number of cases and deaths have increased to 51 per cent and 60 per cent respectively, according to the World Health Organization.

Algeria is the African country with the highest number of fatalities having recorded a total of 364 Egypt comes in second with more than 205. Morocco has reported 135 deaths and South Africa 50, Tunisia has a total of 37 deaths while Burkina Faso has 35 fatalities.


Adequate testing could yet reveal an even higher figure than what has been recorded, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO’s director-general said.

The African health sector is currently battling to contain a total of 19,875 infections and 1016 deaths.

Tedros also addressed the issue of reopening so-called wet markets, open-air marketplaces almost everywhere in the world where vendors sell fresh meat, fish, produce and other perishable goods.

“Wet markets, as you know, are an important source of affordable food and livelihood for millions of people all over the world,” he said. “But in many places, they have been poorly regulated and poorly maintained. WHO’s position is that when these markets are allowed to reopen, it should only be on the condition that they conform to stringent food safety and hygiene standards. Governments must rigorously enforce bans on the sale and trade of wildlife for food.”

(TodayNG)