Signs of hope as pandemic brushes Africa
Two months after the first coronavirus case was reported in Africa, the dire warnings that the continent was destined to be ravaged by the virus appear to be be ringing hollow. After all, notes Legalbrief, the virus appears to be spreading far slower than Covid-19 hotspots around the world. So far, there are around 63 000 confirmed cases and 2 200 deaths, a rate which is significantly lower than most continents around the world. And with more than 21 000 recoveries, there are indications that Africa is more resistant to the deadly microbe than other continents. The Africa Report questions whether this is simply because the disease arrived later on the continent and, as a South African study which projects the disease’s peak to come in September suggests, the worst is still ahead.
The UN health agency has cited a new study by its regional office in Brazzaville which found that between 83 000 and 190 000 Africans could die with between 29m and 44m becoming infected when the pandemic peaks. The research is based on prediction modelling and covers 47 countries with a total population of 1bn. A report on the EWN site notes that experts have consistently warned that Africa is particularly vulnerable to an outbreak, due to weak health infrastructure, high rates of poverty, numerous roiling conflicts and a proven susceptibility to previous epidemics. WHO Africa Director Matshidiso Moeti said the lower rate of transmission suggests a more prolonged outbreak over a few years. He added that while Covid-19 likely won't spread as exponentially in Africa as it has elsewhere in the world, ‘it likely will smoulder in transmission hotspots’.
In other developments:
* Sex workers in Zambia are helping to trace people who have contracted coronavirus after a surge in new infections at the border town of Nakonde. Health Minister Chitalu Chilufya said 76 of 85 reported new cases in the northern town were either sex workers or truck drivers.
* Morocco has rapidly expanded its fleet of drones, deploying them for aerial surveillance, public service announcements and sanitisation in order to fight the pandemic.
* The Ivory Coast on Friday lifted many of its coronavirus containment measures, except in economic capital Abidjan, which has the vast majority of the country's cases. Jubilant citizens feted the return of the country's vibrant nightlife. The West African nation acted swiftly in enacting restrictions against the pandemic six weeks ago, and it has so far recorded only 20 deaths.
* Hundreds of Lesotho citizens are making dangerous border crossings daily from SA to return home. All SA borders remain in line with level four Covid-19 regulations except for trade and medical travel. Lesotho has not started local testing, but a lockdown that was imposed in April has been partially lifted to allow all trade and government services for limited hours.
* The virus has caused the death of Niger's Employment and Labour Minister Mohamed Ben Omar, his Social Democratic Party confirmed. He was 55. Before announcing the news, state television broadcast a recent message from the Minister urging workers to protect themselves from the coronavirus.
* Rising Covid-19 infections and staff shortages are straining Sudan's healthcare system. Some hospitals are reportedly shutting their doors for new admissions. Health Minister Akram al-Tom said there was a severe shortage of life-saving drugs and protective clothing for medical staff in hospitals, isolation wards and screening centres.
* Burundi has told the regional bloc East African Community that any observers sent to monitor its general elections will have to be quarantined for 14 days on arrival. The elections are only nine days away and the order effectively bars observers from scrutinising the voting process. The country has also declined to allow UN and civil society observers to monitor the elections.
* Thousands of prisoners in South Africa are set to be released on parole in a bid to curb the spread of Covid-19 in over-populated prisons. President Cyril Ramaphosa has authorised placing selected categories of sentenced offenders on parole as a ‘measure to combat the spread of Covid-19 in correctional facilities, which are considered high-risk areas for infection’.
* In Zambia, an investigation has been launched after a laboratory technician died in a bus accident while transporting Covid-19 samples. The victim, identified as Ian Mutambo, reportedly used a public bus from Zambezi on Saturday and was killed when the vehicle lost control while crossing the Kabompo River.
* Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has approved amendments to the State of Emergency that grant him additional powers, which the government says are needed to contain the spread of the coronavirus. Saturday's changes were condemned by a prominent rights group, which said Cairo has used the public health crisis to 'expand, not reform, Egypt's abusive emergency law'.
* In Nigeria, the authorities have demolished two hotels in Rivers State for allegedly flouting Covid-19 restrictions. Governor Nyesom Wike recently issued an order banning hotels from opening their doors. The Prudent Hotel and Etemeteh Hotel were gutted.
* Two Bulawayo women have appeared before a local magistrate to answer to charges of sharing an unsigned press statement purportedly issued by President Emmerson Mnangagwa extending the national lockdown. Prisca Gumbo and Renah Takudzwa Muhambi are facing charges of ‘publishing or communicating false statements prejudicial to the state’. Magistrate Shepherd Munjanja granted them bail and set a trial date for 18 May.