Coronavirus cases in Africa have now surpassed the 20,000 mark as countries continue to record more infections.
The continent has also recorded over 1,000 deaths across 52 countries as at April 18, 2020.
North (8746) and West (4404) African sub-regions have now recorded more cases than other parts of the continent.
Egypt with 2884 cases is now the leading country with more cases, according to latest figures from health experts.
More cases of recoveries have also been recorded in North (1829) and West (1233) African sub-regions.
The African Union’s Centre for Disease Control in partnership with other continental bodies has “announced a series of emergency interventions to respond rapidly to gaps in the supply and policy for food & critical medical resources needed to combat the COVID-19 pandemic in Africa. “
“We commit to providing market intelligence on where the manufacturers are, facilitating pooled procurement when financial resources are made available through this initiative, & distributing these products to respective destinations” the centre’s director, John Nkengasong said.
To date, Africa’s Coronavirus deaths pass 1,000 mark and cases approach 20,000.@AfricaCDC remains committed to bringing you reliable & consistent information on the #COVID19 #Pandemic in Africa.
Visit our dashboard via https://t.co/teDFU1XFLZ for regular updates#FactsNotFear pic.twitter.com/ri9xYnjUP9— Africa CDC (@AfricaCDC) April 18, 2020
Meanwhile the United Nations has already warned that the current coronavirus pandemic is likely to kill at least 300,000 people in Africa.
The global body also said the pandemic could also push nearly 30 million people into poverty over the next 3 to 6 months.
The UN Economic Commission for Africa has now called for a $100bn safety net for the continent as well as a halt to external debt payments.
In a statement the UN body said “The pandemic continues to impact on the Continent’s struggling economies whose growth is expected to slow down from 3.2 percent to 1.8 percent in a best-case scenario, pushing close to 27 million people into extreme poverty.”
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Source: Africafeeds.com
