African governments have been stepping up measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, although the continent has so far seen less number of confirmed cases and deaths comparing to the rest of the world.
As the war against coronavirus gathers steam, WHO warns that the continent will at least have 10 million confirmed cases and 300,000 death toll in the coming three or six months so long as African nations do not joint hands to battle the virus and take the necessary and timely precautionary measures.
Indeed, many African countries ‘medical teams are now working day and night to contain the spread of the virus and the governments are also tightening social distancing guidelines and lockdown measures.
It is true that Africa’s health system is vulnerable and poor. Thus, it is far better to focus on infection prevention activities rather than making an attempt to stop once the pandamic is erupted.
Moreover, many experts have expressed greatest concern related to COVID-19 as there is the big possibility that the virus could swiftly spread to countries with weaker health systems as a result the system will be collapsed.
In fact, African states are aware of the danger of viruses. West Africa was, from 2014 to 2016, hit by an epidemic of hemorrhagic fever due to the Ebola virus, which has killed some 11,300 people in Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia.
Ebola has also killed more than 2,200 people since its reappearance in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo in August 2018.
A “special effort” of surveillance is expected from all countries in a view to curbing the virus. Without falling into psychosis, authorities in all African countries should recommend that people take precautionary measures, such as washing their hands well with soap or sneezing into handkerchiefs.
Until the situation normalizes, the current social restrictions have to be tighten and widespread COVID-19 tests need to be conducted to prevent large coronavirus outbreaks in Africa.
The Ethiopian Herald April 21/2020
