The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has said that the curve of the novel coronavirus pandemic in Africa is beginning to bend slowly.
This, the Centre indicates, is as a result of ensuring measures like mask-wearing and social distancing which contribute to slowing down the spread of the pandemic on the continent.
Although the spread of the COVID-19 outbreak was slow in Africa in the early stages of the pandemic, the rate of infection gradually accelerated over time. One of the countries whose recorded cases spiked is South Africa, which now accounts for more than half of its case load of more than 1.1 million.
According to the head of Africa CDC, John Nkengasong, there have been signs of a decline in new infections across the continent in the last two. He said the bending of the curve is a sign hope and Africans can be carefully optimistic as the virus is a delicate one.
“So, I think that is really some sign of hope that we are beginning to bend the curve slowly. We take this news with cautious optimism. It’s very, very early, we’re dealing with a very delicate virus that spreads very quickly but it’s important to recognise those slight tendencies that are positive.”
The World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Director, Matshidiso Moeti, disclosed that in a virtual press conference that Africa reported a total of 73,000 new cases within last week as compared to 55,000 cases the previous week. This increase, according to the Director, is as a result of the situation in South Africa.
Although pressure is building in some countries to open up schools, Nkengasong holds that it is appropriate to delay such a move until infections have declined substantially.
He cautioned that a hasty re-opening of schools in Africa could repeat experiences of other countries like Israel where they were re-opened and then shut down again after infections spiked.
Africa’s caseload has remained relatively low compared to other continents, a factor that has been attributed to its relative isolation.
However, some experts believe that low levels of testing in many countries also means infection rates are likely to be higher than the reported cases.
Meanwhile, Moeti said the slowing infections in Africa is encouraging but that “we cannot be complacent. Cases are continuing to increase in some countries particularly as borders, businesses and schools are opening up.”
