Coronavirus
The Coronavirus originated from China, Wuhan, late last year. Since then, it has infected many and declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization. Despite the extensive measures to contain the virus, there is a relative increase in confirmed cases worldwide. The disease has infected more than one hundred and eighty countries globally.
Now, African nations are feeling the heat caused by the pandemic. According to the latest survey done, Africa records at least twelve thousand, three hundred, and sixty-nine. Besides, six hundred and thirty-two have died from the infection. The good news is that around one thousand, six hundred and thirty-two patients have recovered so far. Now, Africa is to gear up their techniques to curb the rapid spread of the virus.
Africa to scale up testing
At the moment, fifty-two African countries have reported cases of COVID-19. Only two countries have not yet confirmed cases- Lesotho and Comoros. As a result of the spread of the pandemic, African nations are to push up their testing skills. Local transmission across the continent is rising day after day. On Thursday, Health officials raised the demand for more medical pieces of equipment to curb the spread.
Health workers warn the whole continent about the virus, saying that urgent measures are required. It is high time to wake up from the slumberland as everyone remains at risk. The chief of African Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, John Nkengasong, we cannot neglect this advice. John says the world will be unsafe if people do not take action now.
Additionally, Nkengasong says that it is naïve for oversea countries to think it will be safe by controlling the virus only in their grounds. He is merely calling for unity and brotherhood during this fight. The truth is African countries lack adequate and necessary types of equipment. For instance, the World Health Organization says less than 5000 ICU beds are available in 43 African countries.
Africa is getting desperate to some extent
Following the scarcity of the required pieces of equipment, Africa may end up worried about the pandemic. The beds available are not sufficient for the whole of Africa. Take a close look at the beds available in Europe versus those in Africa, and you will notice the difference. Europe estimates 4000 beds for one million people, while Africa can afford five beds for one million patients.
The same situation falls for the ventilators used to help patients breathe comfortably. Mr. John Nkengasong says the future of Africa depends on the condition at hand is handled. Matshidiso Moe, W.H.O Africa leader, says there is a need to increase testing in the continent. He adds that the virus is now spreading far beyond the imported cases.
Michael Yao, the World Health Organization emergency program manager, says several African nations may record peak cases soon. Michael says even if they find the pieces of equipment, there is still a challenge to deliver them. At the moment, most of the airlines are not operating because of the restriction on travel.
Conclusion
Despite the lack of the necessary equipment for patients, this is not the time to give up. Prevention is always better than cure. I call upon the African continent to follow the outlaid preventive measures, and we will make it.
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