The World Health Organization (WHO) has said that there is some level of underestimation of testing for coronavirus in Africa.
The global health body however doesn’t think there are multiple-fold of cases that are undetected with people dying unreported.
Africa has reported at least 416,063 confirmed coronavirus cases with 10,297 deaths, while 196,944 patients have recovered.
Some countries have started re-opening their borders and resuming air-travels.
The Africa regional director of the WHO, Matshidiso Moeti said on Thursday at a news briefing that “When restrictions are eased, cases may flare up again, so every community must be able to find, test, isolate & care for cases… Then trace & isolate their contacts.”
She adds that “There is a certain level of under estimation of testing. Most African countries are only testing people who have symptoms & are encouraging people to come with early symptoms.”
“But we do not think that there is a multiple-fold number of cases which are undetected & people are dying unknown,” Moeti said.
She is asking that countries “use data to determine the degree to which travel can start & to guide the conditions… in order to minimise the risk.”
COVID-19 in Africa: watch a joint media briefing with @WHOAFRO and WEF https://t.co/vuGKPb3eb8
— WHO African Region (@WHOAFRO) July 2, 2020
Source: Africafeeds.com
