Up to 190,000 people in Africa could die of coronavirus in the first year of the pandemic if containment measures fail, the World Health Organisation warned on Thursday.

The UN health agency cited a new study by its regional office in Brazzaville which found that between 83,000 and 190,000 could die and 29 to 44 million be infected during the period.

The research is based on prediction modelling and covers 47 countries with a total population of one billion, the WHO said in a statement.

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.

But the virus has been slow to spread across the continent, which has yet not recorded the soaring number of infections or deaths seen in Europe, the United States and elsewhere.

“The model predicts the observed slower rate of transmission, lower age of people with severe disease and lower mortality rates compared to what is seen in the most affected countries in the rest of the world,” the statement said.

“The lower rate of transmission, however, suggests a more prolonged outbreak over a few years.”

WHO Africa Director Matshidiso Moeti said 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”.

“COVID-19 could become a fixture in our lives for the next several years unless a proactive approach is taken by many governments in the region,” he added. “We need to test, trace, isolate and treat.”

Smaller countries as well as Algeria, South Africa and Cameroon were at particularly high risk unless effective containment measures were in force, the WHO said.

Africa has so far recorded 53,334 cases and 2,065 fatalities – out of a global death toll of nearly 267,000 -according to an AFP tally.

Several countries have put confinement measures or lockdowns in place, but others have not and some are considering lifting restrictions.

Nigeria lifted the lockdown in Africa’s most populous city Lagos earlier this week, while South Africa started to ease its measures last week.

https://punchng.com/covid-19-190000-africans-may-die-in-2020-who-warns/


I DIS-ANNUL THESE EVIL PRONOUNCEMENTS IN JESUS NAME .... AMEN

GOD PUNISH WHO

Why that WHO always say doom things, they never one day say good thing,especially to Africa ,what wrong have we done to this WHO and China for God's sake.

na wa oo all this palaver because the Chinese eat bat.

Stupid WHO

Praxtech:

https://punchng.com/covid-19-190000-africans-may-die-in-2020-who-warns/
I DIS-ANNUL THESE EVIL PRONOUNCEMENTS IN JESUS NAME .... AMEN

For people who claim to believe in a higher power, you folks turn out to be the most fear-ridden. Go get some psychological help for your own sanity's sake

Thunder fire WHO TESTES

Kobojunkie:

For people who claim to believe in a higher power, you folks turn out to be the most fear-ridden. Go get some psychological help for your own sanity's sake

Why not mind your bidness...and let me be?

Praxtech:

Why not mind your bidness...and let me be?

Nothing I say will change you but It's my perogative

what agenda is WHO running?

WHO, why always Africa?
Anyway, we need to get serious with this pandemic especially in our dear country so as to overcome this pandemic on time.

Ignorant people attacking WHO, any sensible person would predict same, it is no rocket science.
If not for WHO's influence in africa, some of you may not be alive to type nonsense.

dulux07:
Ignorant people attacking WHO, any sensible person would predict same, it is no rocket science.
If not for WHO's influence in africa, some of you may not be alive to type nonsense.

Smartass

Wow this is not good ooo

It's makes me sad to think some people don't even think the virus is real

And now when people start dying they call it malaria

SMH

Prophets of Doom.

Fastestmanalive:
Wow this is not good ooo

It's makes me sad to think some people don't even think the virus is real

And now when people start dying they call it malaria

SMH

Why are you panicking?

Praxtech:

Why are you panicking?

Why won't I panic?

WHO is now your enemy for telling you what anyone with average intelligence should have understand.

I thought Melinda Gates said as much. Nigeria the most religious Country on earth that cannot help itself.

China I see your hand and your new stolen pet called WHO

this people just they jealous africa

Praxtech:
what agenda is WHO running?

Evil........ But painted black at back n white in the front. Do whichever one u see is what's they want u to see