Africa faces fast surging COVID-19 3rd wave, says WHO

 

THE third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic is picking up speed in Africa as the continent faces its steepest surge yet, according to the World Health Organisation, WHO.

Africa is facing a fast-surging third wave of COVID-19 pandemic, the agency noted, with cases spreading more rapidly and projected to soon overtake the peak of the second wave the continent witnessed at the start of 2021.

The WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, disclosed this on Thursday during a virtual press conference. said the worst may be yet to come for Africa if urgent steps are not taken to curb the current surge.

Since the onset of the third wave on 3rd May 2021,  COVID-19 cases have risen for five consecutive weeks. 

“The third wave is picking up speed, spreading faster, hitting harder. With rapidly rising case numbers and increasing reports of serious illness, the latest surge threatens to be Africa’s worst yet.

“Africa can still blunt the impact of these fast-rising infections, but the window of opportunity is closing. Everyone everywhere can do their bit by taking precautions to prevent transmission,” she noted. 

As of 20 June (day 48 into the new wave), Africa had recorded around 474,000 new cases, a 21 percent increase compared with the first 48 days of the second wave. 

At the current rate of infections, the ongoing surge is set to surpass the previous one by early July.

According to WHO, the pandemic is resurging in 12 African countries. A combination of factors including weak observance of public health measures increased social interaction, and movement as well as the spread of variants are powering the new surge. Across Africa, the Delta variant first identified in India has been reported in 14 countries.  

The COVID-19 upsurge comes as the vaccine supply crunch persists. 18 African countries have used over 80 percent of their COVAX vaccine supplies, with eight having exhausted their stocks, 29 have administered over 50 percent of their supplies. 

Despite the progress, just over 1 percent of Africa’s population has been fully vaccinated. Globally, around 2.7 billion doses administered, of which just under 1.5 percent have been administered in the continent.

As many high-income countries vaccinate a significant proportion of their populations, proof of vaccination is leading to fewer movement restrictions. Globally,16 countries are waiving quarantine for those with a vaccination certificate. Measures to prevent COVID-19 transmission are crucial, but with many African countries having limited access to vaccines, it is important that vaccines be only one of the conditions countries use to open borders and increase freedom of movement.

“With high vaccination rates, it’s shaping up into a summer of freedom, family, and fun for millions of people in richer countries. This is understandable and we all long for the same joys,” said Moeti. 

“Vaccine shortages are already prolonging the pain of COVID-19 in Africa. Let’s not add injury to injustice. Africans must not face more restrictions because they are unable to access vaccines that are only available elsewhere. I urge all regional and national regulatory agencies to recognize all the vaccines Emergency Use listed by WHO.”

In the European Union, a COVID-19 passport system for vaccination, testing, and recovery will take effect from 1 July. However, only four of the eight vaccines listed by WHO for emergency use are recognised by the European Medicines Agency for the passport system. 

 In Africa, most countries do not give quarantine exemptions for travellers who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and require a negative COVID-19 test.