Africa’s different pandemic model addressed

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. However, the virus has been slow to spread across the continent. ‘The lower rate of transmission suggests a more prolonged outbreak over a few years,’ said WHO Africa Director Matshidiso Moeti. 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’.

Full report on the EWN site