Africa’s coronavirus deaths have now hit at least 17 as more countries confirm fresh cases with the tally now surpassing 633.
The World Health Organization has said that it is now “supporting countries with surveillance, diagnostics & treatment.”
There have been new confirmed cases in countries like Gambia, Mauritius and Zambia.
But more cases are being recorded in the over 30 countries that have already confirmed previous cases.
633 confirmed #COVID19 cases in #Africa in 33 countries and 17 deaths. In past 24 hrs, The Gambia, Mauritius & Zambia have announced first cases. @WHO is supporting countries with surveillance, diagnostics & treatment. https://t.co/V0fkK8dYTg pic.twitter.com/5EP26IT3Yh
— WHO African Region (@WHOAFRO) March 19, 2020
On Wednesday one of the 17 deaths on the continent was announced and it happens to be a top politician in Burkina Faso.
Rose Marie Compaoré, a vice-president in the national assembly was diabetic and died at the age of 62 after suffering complications from the infection.
“This tragic event calls us all to recognise the scale and seriousness of the problem which confronts us all,” said Martial Ouedraogo, the West African nation’s Covid-19 response co-ordinator.
“This is a very contagious illness that is potentially fatal and that for now has no treatment aside from prevention.
Deaths have been reported in Egypt, Algeria, Morocco, Burkina Faso and Sudan.
Meanwhile the WHo has told African countries to prepare for the worst despite the continent being the least hit by the pandemic.
The head of the WHO, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, is quoted by AFP news agency as saying that “Africa should wake up… in other countries, we have seen how the virus actually accelerates after a certain tipping point.”
Source: Africafeeds.com
