Africa UN Knowledge Hub for COVID-19

Expectations are that China’s grand ‘reopening’ will provide the lifeline many countries desperately need.

The Kraken is here, but there is little to fear from this latest variant of the Covid-19 virus – and, whatever you do, don't spread panic on social media.

Despite an upsurge in China’s Covid-19 infections, and new restrictions placed on the country’s air travellers in the West, South Africa continues to report low rates of infections despite mass gatherings this festive season.

As of January 4, 2023, Seychelles was the African country with the highest coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination rate, with around 205 doses administered per 100 individuals. Mauritius and Rwanda followed with 201 and 190 doses per 100 people, respectively.

The world is unprepared for another global health threat in 2023, according to several health workers and experts.

As Liberia tackled rising COVID-19 cases in 2022, rapid diagnostic testing of everyone living within 100 metres of newly confirmed cases...

“We are talking about the lives of millions rather than the profitability of a few companies.” President Cyril Ramaphosa, South Africa.

In many African countries, the existing health infrastructures struggled to meet the needs of its populations before the pandemic.

“We were able to use COVID-19 as an opportunity to establish and strengthen our systems,” notes Dr Yenew Kebede, Africa CDC.

The Accra Metropolitan District was a major origin of virus spread to other districts and should be a primary focus for interventions against future infectious disease outbreaks.