Risk of COVID-19 surge threatens Africa’s health facilities

7 June 2021

© UNICEF/Catherine Ntabadde Health workers on Bwama Island on Lake Bunyonyi in Uganda prepare to administer COVID-19 vaccines.

Share this story

Critical health facilities across Africa risk being overwhelmed by surging COVID-19 infections, the UN health agency said on Thursday.

The appeal to the continent’s authorities to boost lifesaving facilities comes as the World Health Organization (WHO) warned that vaccine shipments were at “a near halt”.

“The threat of a third wave in Africa is real and rising”, said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa. “Our priority is clear – it’s crucial that we swiftly get vaccines into the arms of Africans at high risk of falling seriously ill and dying of COVID-19.”

20% uptick in cases

As the continent struggles with vaccine shortages, the care of critically ill COVID-19 patients has lagged behind other parts of the world. While Africa has 2.9 per cent of cases globally, it accounts for 3.7 per cent of deaths.

Weak observance of preventive measures likely contributed to the crisis, along with increased population movement and interaction, and the arrival of winter in southern Africa.

In the last two weeks, the continent has recorded a 20 per cent increase in coronavirus infections, compared to the previous fortnight. “The pandemic is trending upwards in 14 countries and in the past week alone (and) eight countries witnessed an abrupt rise of over 30 per cent in cases,” WHO said in a statement.

Intensive care filling up

South Africa has seen “a sustained increase in cases”, while Uganda reported a 131 per cent week-on-week rise last week “with infection clusters in schools, rising cases among health workers and isolation centres and intensive care units filling up”.

COVID-19 vaccines are delivered by boat to Bwama Island, a hard to reach area in Kabale District western Uganda., by © UNICEF/Catherine Ntabadde

Angola and Namibia have also witnessed a resurgence in cases, WHO said, noting that 48.6 million doses have been received in Africa and 31.4 million doses have been administered in 50 countries on the continent.

Poor treatment

Only around two per cent of the population has received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine, compared with the 24 per cent global figure.

“While many countries outside Africa have now vaccinated their high-priority groups and are able to even consider vaccinating their children, African countries are unable to even follow up with second doses for high-risk groups,” said Dr. Moeti. “I’m urging countries that have reached a significant vaccination coverage to release doses and keep the most vulnerable Africans out of critical care.”

Globally, as of 3 June 2021, there have been 171,222,477 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including 3,686,142 deaths, reported to WHO. As of 2 June, a total of 1,581,509,628 vaccine doses have been administered.

Source: UN News

Last Posts

Prof. Peter Katjavivi (middle) speaks in Botswana last week at the signing of the Agreement to Amend the SADC Treaty to establish the SADC PF as an official institution of the regional bloc. Photo: Bright Khumanego

“Are we really here?” – Prof Peter Katjavivi reacts to transformation of SADC PF

Share this story

Share this storyBy Moses Magadza Gaborone, Botswana – In Luke 2:25-32, Simeon, a devout man who had been promised by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen Christ, said –…

7 June 2021

The Executive Secretary of SADC, Mr. Elias Magosi (left) speaks while the Speaker of the Parliament of South Africa, Hon Thoko Didiza and Botswana’s Minister for State President, Hon. Moeti Ceaser Mohwasa listen in. Photo: Bright Kumanego

SADC urges swift ratification of Regional Parliament Treaty before August Summit

Share this story

Share this storyBy Moses Magadza Gaborone, Botswana – The Executive Secretary of SADC, Mr. Elias Magosi, has hailed the recent signing of the Agreement to amend the SADC Treaty to transform the SADC Parliamentary Forum…

7 June 2021

The Speaker of the National Assembly of Botswana, Honourable Dithapelo Lefoko Keorapetse. Photo: Bright Khumanego, Parliament of Botswana

Botswana Speaker says SADC Regional Parliament will boost citizens’ participation

Share this story

Share this storyBy Moses Magadza Gaborone, Botswana – The Speaker of the National Assembly of Botswana, Honourable Dithapelo Lefoko Keorapetse has said that the transformation of the SADC Parliamentary Forum into a regional parliament will…

7 June 2021

ELATED: Botswana’s Minister for State President Honourable Moeti Ceaser Mohwasa (right) with the Speaker of South Africa Hon Thoko Didiza at the signing ceremony. Photo: Bright Khumanego, Parliament of Botswana.

Call to embrace SADC Parliament

Share this story

Share this story… as Botswana signs Treaty Amendment Agreement By Moses Magadza in Gaborone GABORONE- Botswana’s Minister for State President Honourable Moeti Ceaser Mohwasa, has welcomed the signing of the Agreement Amending the SADC Treaty…

7 June 2021

ussian-delegates-emerging-from-a-Meeting-in-Riyadh

Main outcomes of the Russia and United States expert groups meeting

Share this story

Share this story(March 25, 2025) 1. In line with the agreement reached by the presidents of Russia and the United States, the Russian and American sides agreed to provide for the implementation of the Black…

7 June 2021

Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s interview with Channel One on Talks in Riyadh and their Outcome

Share this story

Share this storyMoscow, March 25, 2025 Question: Let us begin with your birthday. You have received plenty of birthday wishes. There was even a “marathon” of your wonderful verses. Did you have time to look…

7 June 2021

Related Stories