Africa’s COVID-19 Deaths Rose By 40 Percent In January – WHO
By Moses Emorinken, Abuja
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has disclosed that covid-19 deaths in Africa increased by 40 percent in January, pushing the continent’s death toll towards 100,000 since the first reported case on the continent on 14 February, 2020.
Noting over 22,300 deaths were reported in Africa in the last 28 days, compared with nearly 16,000 deaths in the previous 28 days, the United Nations Agency stated that Africa is expected to reach 100,000 deaths in the coming days.
Disclosing the one-year milestone comes as the continent faces the spread of new strains of virus, the WHO further stated that health workers and health systems in Africa are dangerously overstretched.
The WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti, made this known during a virtual press briefing.
She said: “Thirty-two countries reported a rise in deaths in the last 28 days, while 21 reported flat or falling rates. Africa’s COVID-19 fatality rate rose to 3.7 percent during the last 28 days compared to 2.4 percent in the previous 28 days and is and is now well above the global average.
“The increasing deaths from COVID-19 we are seeing are tragic, but are also disturbing warning signs that health workers and health systems in Africa are dangerously overstretched. This grim milestone must refocus everyone on stamping out the virus.
By Moses Emorinken, Abuja
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has disclosed that covid-19 deaths in Africa increased by 40 percent in January, pushing the continent’s death toll towards 100,000 since the first reported case on the continent on 14 February, 2020.
Noting over 22,300 deaths were reported in Africa in the last 28 days, compared with nearly 16,000 deaths in the previous 28 days, the United Nations Agency stated that Africa is expected to reach 100,000 deaths in the coming days.
Disclosing the one-year milestone comes as the continent faces the spread of new strains of virus, the WHO further stated that health workers and health systems in Africa are dangerously overstretched.
The WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti, made this known during a virtual press briefing.
She said: “Thirty-two countries reported a rise in deaths in the last 28 days, while 21 reported flat or falling rates. Africa’s COVID-19 fatality rate rose to 3.7 percent during the last 28 days compared to 2.4 percent in the previous 28 days and is and is now well above the global average.
“The increasing deaths from COVID-19 we are seeing are tragic, but are also disturbing warning signs that health workers and health systems in Africa are dangerously overstretched. This grim milestone must refocus everyone on stamping out the virus.
– The Nation
