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Coronavirus cases in Africa pass 2,400 amid fears for health services Coronavirus cases in Africa pass 2,400 amid fears for health services
(32 minutes later)
WHO says numbers likely to be significantly higher as South Africa imposes lockdownWHO says numbers likely to be significantly higher as South Africa imposes lockdown
There are now more than 2,400 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Africa as the virus continues to spread amid growing warnings it will cause major challenges for the continent’s under-resourced health services. There are now more than 2,400 confirmed cases of Covid-19 across Africa and growing warnings that the pandemic will cause major challenges for the continent’s under-resourced health services.
Senior World Health Organization officials have said the numbers are likely to significantly underestimate the number of cases. There have been 60 reported deaths so far. World Health Organization officials have said the statistics are likely to significantly underestimate the true number of cases. There have been 60 reported deaths so far.
About a third of the cases are in South Africa, which recorded a steep rise overnight. The country’s health minister, Zweli Mkhize, said on Wednesday that the number of coronavirus cases had reached 709, up from 554 a day before.About a third of the cases are in South Africa, which recorded a steep rise overnight. The country’s health minister, Zweli Mkhize, said on Wednesday that the number of coronavirus cases had reached 709, up from 554 a day before.
South Africa will go into a strict 21-day lockdown at midnight on Thursday to avoid a “catastrophe of huge proportions”, said the president, Cyril Ramaphosa. He called on the 56 million people in sub-Saharan Africa’s most developed economy to show patience, courage and unity. South Africa will go into a strict 21-day lockdown at midnight on Thursday in an attempt to avoid a “catastrophe of huge proportions”, said the president, Cyril Ramaphosa. He called on the 56 million people in sub-Saharan Africa’s most developed economy to show patience, courage and unity.
The lockdown confines all but essential workers to their homes, though journeys to buy groceries or seek medical attention will be allowed. The lockdown will confine all but essential workers to their homes, though journeys to buy groceries or seek medical attention will be allowed.
“The numbers will continue to rise. It is clear that ... we need to urgently and dramatically escalate our response,” Ramaphosa said, raising the prospect of tens of thousands or, “within a few weeks”, hundreds of thousands of cases if nothing was done. “The numbers will continue to rise. It is clear that we need to urgently and dramatically escalate our response,” Ramaphosa said, warning of the prospect of tens or hundreds of thousands of cases within weeks if nothing was done.
Though South Africa has a young population, there are millions who are vulnerable because of HIV or malnutrition. The healthcare system has long suffered an acute lack of resources and critical facilities are extremely limited. There has been widespread panic buying since the lockdown was announced. Though South Africa has a young population, and Covid-19 is deadlier among older people, there are millions who are vulnerable because of HIV or malnutrition. The healthcare system has long had an acute lack of resources and critical facilities are extremely limited. There has been widespread panic buying since the lockdown was announced.
Other countries with high numbers of cases include Algeria, with 264, and Egypt, on 402. The first case has also been reported in Libya. Other countries with high numbers of cases include Algeria, with 264, and Egypt, on 402. The first case has been reported in Libya.
Most African nations have imposed restrictions and taken a range of extraordinary measures to combat the crisis. Many flights have been suspended, with entries for travellers from much of Europe and the US effectively impossible. Most African nations have imposed restrictions and taken a range of extraordinary measures to try to combat the crisis. Many flights have been suspended, with entries for travellers from much of Europe and the US effectively impossible.
Rwanda, Kenya and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have all imposed curfews and lockdowns in recent days.Rwanda, Kenya and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have all imposed curfews and lockdowns in recent days.
Authorities in the DRC, which has recorded 48 cases, are seeking to isolate the capital, Kinshasa, from the rest of the country, while Ethiopia is to release more than 4,000 prisoners in an effort to decongest crowded jails, according to state media.Authorities in the DRC, which has recorded 48 cases, are seeking to isolate the capital, Kinshasa, from the rest of the country, while Ethiopia is to release more than 4,000 prisoners in an effort to decongest crowded jails, according to state media.
Neighbouring Mali recorded its first cases on Wednesday. Officials in the poor, unstable state recently denied reports that they had only one ventilator for its 17 million inhabitants, saying they had 56. Neighbouring Mali recorded its first cases on Wednesday. Officials in the poor, unstable state recently denied reports it had only one ventilator for its 17 million inhabitants, saying it had 56.
There are fears that lockdowns will bring significant hardship for the continent’s poor, many of whom live hand to mouth without formal employment.There are fears that lockdowns will bring significant hardship for the continent’s poor, many of whom live hand to mouth without formal employment.
Health officials across Africa know hospitals can deal with only a fraction of those needing care if the virus spreads through overcrowded cities, remote villages and among vulnerable populations such as refugees, the malnourished or those suffering from HIV and other chronic conditions. Health officials across Africa know hospitals can deal with only a fraction of those needing care if the virus spreads through crowded cities, remote villages and among vulnerable populations such as refugees, malnourished people or those with HIV and other chronic conditions.
South African authorities have said they will work to protect overcrowded neighbourhoods where social distancing and self-isolation are virtually impossible. The human settlements minister, Lindiwe Sisulu, said the government would reveal its strategy after consulting with communities.South African authorities have said they will work to protect overcrowded neighbourhoods where social distancing and self-isolation are virtually impossible. The human settlements minister, Lindiwe Sisulu, said the government would reveal its strategy after consulting with communities.
Nombulelo Tyokolo, 41, a domestic worker in Cape Town, who shares a one-bedroom shack with her son, said she was concerned about how the lockdown will work. “I am scared, worried and panicking about 21 days indoors,” she said. Nombulelo Tyokolo, 41, a domestic worker in Cape Town who shares a one-bedroom shack with her son, said she was concerned about how the lockdown will work. “I am scared, worried and panicking about 21 days indoors,” she said. “We have to fetch water outside and go outside to the toilets. God have mercy.”
“We have to fetch water outside and go outside to the toilets. God have mercy.” False beliefs about who is vulnerable to the virus, and how to fight it, are a serious problem on the continent, as elsewhere. Officials have warned of the danger of spreading erroneous information, and many religious leaders have called on their congregations to avoid spreading fake news.
False beliefs about who is vulnerable to the virus, and how to fight it, are a serious problem on the continent, as elsewhere. Officials have warned of the danger of spreading erroneous information and many religious leaders have called on their congregations to avoid spreading fake news.
Fartun Mohamed Nur, a 36-year-old mother of three in Mogadishu, Somalia, said she had once believed the disease would only hit non-Muslims or white people but had changed her mind after attending an information session run by a local NGO.Fartun Mohamed Nur, a 36-year-old mother of three in Mogadishu, Somalia, said she had once believed the disease would only hit non-Muslims or white people but had changed her mind after attending an information session run by a local NGO.
“I have learnt that this is a virus and affects all humans. I am now going home with my children. We were told to wash hands very well,” Nur said. “I am now prepared to protect myself and my children from coronavirus.” “I have learned that this is a virus and affects all humans. I am now going home with my children. We were told to wash hands very well,” Nur said. “I am now prepared to protect myself and my children from coronavirus.”
Christian Mulamba, a 35-year-old shoe seller in the commune of Kasa-Vubu, near Kinshasa, said coronavirus did not exist but was an excuse for politicians to make money from aid programmes. “This information is false ... I don’t give a damn about the rules of hygiene,” Malamba said.Christian Mulamba, a 35-year-old shoe seller in the commune of Kasa-Vubu, near Kinshasa, said coronavirus did not exist but was an excuse for politicians to make money from aid programmes. “This information is false ... I don’t give a damn about the rules of hygiene,” Malamba said.
Additional reporting by Abdalle Ahmed Mumin, Mogadishu; Esdras Tsongo, Kinshasa. Additional reporting by Abdalle Ahmed Mumin in Mogadishu and Esdras Tsongo in Kinshasa