Africa could be next coronavirus epicentre: WHO

Africa could be next coronavirus epicentre: WHO
(15:06)
Geneva, April 17 (IANS) The World Health Organization (WHO) on Friday that Africa could become the next epicentre of the coronavirus pandemic as there was a sharp rise in the numver of COVID-19 cases in the past week.

There have been almost 1,000 deaths and more than 18,000 infections across Africa so far, although these rates were far lower than those seen in parts of Europe and the US.

The WHO’s Africa director, Matshidiso Moeti, told the BBC that the organisation had witnessed the virus spreading from capital cities to “the hinterland” in South Africa, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Cameroon and Ghana.

She said they were focusing on prevention rather than treating the virus because African countries don’t have the capacity to treat many coronavirus patients.

“We want to minimise the proportion of people who get to the point of needing critical care in an ICU, because we know that these types of facilities are not adequate by any means in the majority of African countries,” she told the BBC.

“I have to say the issue of ventilators is one of the biggest challenges that the countries are facing.”

For patients critically ill with COVID-19, access to a ventilator could be a matter of life or death.

One of the first recorded deaths from coronavirus in Africa was Zimbabwean journalist Zororo Makamba in March.

The local authorities in the capital, Harare, said that they did not have a ventilator to treat him.

There were also fears that the disease could spread rapidly in overcrowded areas where it is impossible to practise social distancing and where many do not have access to clean water and soap. IANS

US foreign aid cuts can lead to over 14 mn preventable deaths globally by 2030: Lancet

New Delhi: The dismantling of US foreign aid, imposed by the Donald Trump government, can lead to more than 14 million additional deaths by 2030, including over 4.5 million children...

Infections due to new Covid strains not severe, we’re monitoring: ICMR-NIV Director

Pune: The JN.1.16 sub lineage of Omicron variant and the XFG (LF.7 and LP.81.2) recombinant variant did not cause much severe Covid infection, said Dr Naveen Kumar, Director ICMR-National Institute...

Covid-19 virus protein triggers immune attack on healthy cells: Study

New Delhi: Amid a fresh wave of Covid-19, Israeli researchers have discovered that a protein from the SARS-CoV-2 virus can cause the immune system to attack healthy cells mistakenly. The...

Gujarat records 235 new Covid cases, health officials advise precautions

Ahmedabad: Gujarat has recorded over 1,100 active cases of Covid-19, with 235 reported in the last 24 hours, said officials here on Tuesday, adding that there is no need to...

Five die at govt hospital in Odisha due to ‘medical negligence’, probe ordered

Bhubaneswar: At least five patients died in the government-run Saheed Laxman Nayak Medical College and Hospital (SLNMCH) in Odisha's Koraput after being administered "wrong injection". A probe has been ordered...

Covid-19 cases in Gujarat cross 460 mark: Ahmedabad sees fourfold rise in a week

Ahmedabad: Gujarat recorded 64 Covid-19 cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of infections to 461. Of the 461 active cases, only 20 patients are currently undergoing...

Study shows how plastic particles in food, beverages can harm your liver

New Delhi: Microscopic plastic particles found in food and beverages may affect glucose metabolism and harm organs such as the liver, according to a new animal study. The findings raise...

Covid cases rise in India; govt says monitoring the situation

New Delhi: Amid the latest wave of Covid-19, the number of SARS-CoV2 infections in the country has risen to 2,170. As many as 511 new cases were recorded from the...

Food companies must not use ‘100pc’ claim in labelling and promotions: FSSAI

New Delhi: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued a strong advisory to food companies against the use of the term "100 per cent" in food...

Chennai reports Covid-19 fatality as 60-year-old dies at Rajiv Gandhi government hospital

Chennai: A 60-year-old man undergoing treatment for Covid-19 at the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital (RGGGH) in Chennai passed away on Wednesday, marking a Covid-linked fatality in the city after...

Covid cases increasing, but nothing to worry about as infections are not severe: ICMR chief

New Delhi: Covid-19 infections are increasing in India but there is nothing to worry about as these are not severe, Indian Council of Medical Research Director General Dr Rajiv Bahl...

New global health agreement to take Ayush to world in scientific way: PM Modi

New Delhi: In a big step to take India’s traditional medicine systems like Ayurveda and Yoga to the global stage, the Ministry of Ayush and the World Health Organization (WHO)...

Read Previous

Cases’ doubling reduced after lockdown, growth factor down 40%: Govt

Read Next

Wuhan lab intern accidentally leaked Covid-19 virus: US media

WP2Social Auto Publish Powered By : XYZScripts.com