Coronavirus – Africa: Omicron and Delta increase new cases by 83%

THE Africa is facing the fastest increase in cases coronavirus this year, with their number having increased by 83% in the last week, although deaths remain low, according to data released today by the World Health Organization (WHO).

The increase in cases is due to Delta variants and Ομικρον, the UN international service points out in a relevant announcement. At the moment, the number of new Covid-19 infections on the continent is doubling every five days, he adds.

It is pointed out that the continent found it difficult to acquire vaccines until recently and is facing challenges for their distribution, including the lack of resources, staff and equipment, as transmitted by ΑΠΕ ΜΠΕ.

Until yesterday, only 20 African countries had vaccinated at least 10% of their population, according to the World Health Organization. Some countries, such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Chad, have been vaccinated less than 1%, according to data collected by the Reuters news agency.

The agency also reports that low vaccination rates in Africa encourage viral mutations, like the new Omicron variant, to spread, according to health experts.

Fears of an increase in deaths in the near future

“We are cautiously optimistic that deaths and serious illness will remain low in the current wave, but the slow pace of the vaccination campaign in Africa means that both of these indicators will rise much more than they should,” she said. Macidiso Moeti, the WHO Regional Director for Africa.

Africa recorded more than 196.000 new cases in the week ended December 12, a number higher than approx 107.000 last week, notes the World Health Organization.

The deaths decreased by 19% over the same period, he reports, and averages about 1.000 per week on the fourth pandemic wave.

At the current rate, Africa will need to May of 2022 in order to reach 40% of vaccination coverage and in August 2024 to achieve the 70%, emphasizes the World Health Organization.