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Coronavirus: How fast is it spreading in Africa? Coronavirus: How fast is it spreading in Africa?
(about 7 hours later)
The progression of Covid-19 in Africa may be following a different path to other parts of the world, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).The progression of Covid-19 in Africa may be following a different path to other parts of the world, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Six months after the first case was detected on the continent, the WHO says African nations may be seeing a more gradual rise in cases, rather than rapid, large surges as happened elsewhere. Six months after the first case was detected on the continent, the WHO says African nations may be seeing a more gradual rise in cases, rather than rapid, large surges as happened in other parts of the world.
We've looked at what we know about the disease in Africa.We've looked at what we know about the disease in Africa.
At what rate is coronavirus spreading?At what rate is coronavirus spreading?
The continent passed one million cases on 6 August, but the rate of increase in reported cases has slowed. The continent passed one million cases on 6 August, but the rate of increase has slowed.
This is mainly driven by a decline in new cases in South Africa, which accounts for more than half of all cases reported in Africa. In the week ending 16 August, the WHO Africa region (which excludes Morocco, Egypt, Sudan, Somalia, Djibouti, Tunisia and Libya) reported the largest decrease in new daily cases and deaths globally.
From 6 August until 13 August, the total number of cases on the continent rose by 8%, so less than the 11% rise the week before. The growth in numbers of new cases was down by 27% and in deaths by 21% compared with the previous week, largely due to falling numbers in South Africa, Kenya, Algeria, Nigeria and Ghana.
However, Ethiopia reported a 56% growth in new cases and a 12% increase in deaths, with more than half of the cases in Addis Ababa. The country is running a mass testing campaign, aiming at conducting 400,000 tests in one month.
The WHO says many countries are seeing gradual rises, making it difficult to indentify a specific peak.The WHO says many countries are seeing gradual rises, making it difficult to indentify a specific peak.
It's also warned that the coronavirus is moving from high-density urban areas to rural areas.It's also warned that the coronavirus is moving from high-density urban areas to rural areas.
In terms of confirmed cases, Africa accounts for only a small proportion of the global total - just 5%.In terms of confirmed cases, Africa accounts for only a small proportion of the global total - just 5%.
But the global humanitarian relief body, the International Rescue Committee, says it believes the true scale of the pandemic may be hidden because of a lack of testing and issues with data.But the global humanitarian relief body, the International Rescue Committee, says it believes the true scale of the pandemic may be hidden because of a lack of testing and issues with data.
Where are Africa's hotspots?Where are Africa's hotspots?
South Africa has the highest recorded number of total cases and reported deaths in Africa, and the fifth highest number of cases in the world.South Africa has the highest recorded number of total cases and reported deaths in Africa, and the fifth highest number of cases in the world.
Reported deaths appear lower compared with other countries in the world badly hit by coronavirus.Reported deaths appear lower compared with other countries in the world badly hit by coronavirus.
But research from the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) indicates the number of people who have died from the virus could be much higher than officially reported. Daily reported numbers and hospital admissions have been falling, although WHO says it is too early to make conclusions.
It says excess deaths, which is the difference between deaths reported over a particular period and the historical average, rose by 17,000 - that's a 59% increase compared with previous years. "The country's current policy of testing only those who present with symptoms makes full interpretation of case numbers difficult," WHO says.
There are some signs that the case numbers in South Africa could be stabilising, and the WHO says the hospitalisation rate is also slowing down. And research from the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) indicates the number of people who have died from the virus could be much higher than reported.
It says excess deaths, which is the difference between deaths over a particular period and the historical average, rose by 17,000 - that's a 59% increase compared with previous years.
Gauteng province, which includes Johannesburg, accounts for more than a third of the total cases. But Western Cape province (where Cape Town is located) has reported most deaths.Gauteng province, which includes Johannesburg, accounts for more than a third of the total cases. But Western Cape province (where Cape Town is located) has reported most deaths.
Egypt has seen case numbers rising rapidly since mid-May, but there are indications that this may have reached a peak with recorded new infections dropping off in early July. Egypt has the second highest number of cases and deaths, but new infections in the country have also been dropping.
There is also concern about what is happening in Nigeria, which is third in terms of total cases recorded so far on the continent.
Ethiopia and Zambia have been among the top five countries with the highest percentage increases over the last month, according to the WHO.
It's worth stressing that some parts of the continent have seen relatively few cases, and the Africa CDC (Centres for Disease Control and Prevention) says just five countries account for more than 75% of all reported cases.It's worth stressing that some parts of the continent have seen relatively few cases, and the Africa CDC (Centres for Disease Control and Prevention) says just five countries account for more than 75% of all reported cases.
How many people are dying in Africa?How many people are dying in Africa?
The reported death rate per capita has been low compared to other parts of the world, despite the poor health infrastructure in many African countries.The reported death rate per capita has been low compared to other parts of the world, despite the poor health infrastructure in many African countries.
The WHO says this could be partly because of the relatively young population in Africa - more than 60% under the age of 25. Covid-19 is known to have a higher mortality rate for older age groups.The WHO says this could be partly because of the relatively young population in Africa - more than 60% under the age of 25. Covid-19 is known to have a higher mortality rate for older age groups.
Health problems common to richer countries, like obesity and type 2 diabetes, are also less common in Africa.Health problems common to richer countries, like obesity and type 2 diabetes, are also less common in Africa.
In terms of what proportion of people who get Covid-19 go on to die, there were nine African countries on 14 August with rates comparable with or higher than the global average rate of 3.7%.In terms of what proportion of people who get Covid-19 go on to die, there were nine African countries on 14 August with rates comparable with or higher than the global average rate of 3.7%.
The top five are: Githinji Gitahi, the head of Amref Health Africa, an NGO which specialises in health matters, says the higher fatality rates could be an indication of much higher infection levels than are being detected by testing.
But Githinji Gitahi, the head of Amref Health Africa, an NGO which specialises in health matters, says the higher fatality rates could be an indication of much higher infection levels than are being detected by testing.
The fewer tests you carry out, the fewer cases you find, and so the number of deaths appears relatively high.The fewer tests you carry out, the fewer cases you find, and so the number of deaths appears relatively high.
How much testing is done in Africa?How much testing is done in Africa?
Ten countries account for about 80% of the total tests conducted - South Africa, Morocco, Ghana, Egypt, Ethiopia, Uganda, Mauritius, Kenya, Nigeria and Rwanda.Ten countries account for about 80% of the total tests conducted - South Africa, Morocco, Ghana, Egypt, Ethiopia, Uganda, Mauritius, Kenya, Nigeria and Rwanda.
There are wide variations in testing rates, with South Africa doing the most and Nigeria doing relatively few, according to Our World in Data, a UK-based project which collates Covid-19 information.There are wide variations in testing rates, with South Africa doing the most and Nigeria doing relatively few, according to Our World in Data, a UK-based project which collates Covid-19 information.
By 16 August, South Africa had done 57 tests per 1,000 people, compared with 174 in the UK and 202 in the US.By 16 August, South Africa had done 57 tests per 1,000 people, compared with 174 in the UK and 202 in the US.
Nigeria had achieved 1.7 tests per 1,000 people by 17 August, while Kenya had done 6.9 by 13 August and Ghana 13.7 by 14 August.Nigeria had achieved 1.7 tests per 1,000 people by 17 August, while Kenya had done 6.9 by 13 August and Ghana 13.7 by 14 August.
It's also worth pointing out that for some African countries, it is impossible to know what exactly is happening due to a lack of any data or data being incomplete.It's also worth pointing out that for some African countries, it is impossible to know what exactly is happening due to a lack of any data or data being incomplete.
In Tanzania, President John Magufuli has voiced doubts about the validity of virus testing results at the national laboratory, and has allowed only limited data on infection rates and testing to be made public. In Tanzania, President John Magufuli has voiced doubts about the validity of virus testing results at the national laboratory, and has allowed only limited data to be made public.
Equatorial Guinea had a row with the WHO after accusing its country representative of inflating the number of Covid-19 cases. For a while it held back its data, but has now started sharing it again.Equatorial Guinea had a row with the WHO after accusing its country representative of inflating the number of Covid-19 cases. For a while it held back its data, but has now started sharing it again.
Note: The graphics in this page use a different source for figures for France from that used by Johns Hopkins University, which results in a slightly lower overall total. US figures do not include Puerto Rico, Guam or the US Virgin Islands.Note: The graphics in this page use a different source for figures for France from that used by Johns Hopkins University, which results in a slightly lower overall total. US figures do not include Puerto Rico, Guam or the US Virgin Islands.
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