WHO: Up to 190,000 Africans could Die of Covid-19 if Containment Measures Fail

The World Health Organization  ( WHO ) warned On  Friday  that  between 83 thousand and 190 thousand people in Africa could die of covid-19 and  29 million to  44 million people could get infected in the first year of the pandemic if  it is not contained . 

“ the projections are contained in a new WHO Africa study based on assumptions that no containment measures are put in place, which has fortunately not been the case “ WHO Africa Head Matshidiso Moeti told reporters in a teleconference.

“Covid 19 could  become a fixture in  our lives for the next several years unless a proactive approach  is taken by many governments in the region . We need to test , trace , isolate and treat” Moeti said in a separate statement .

Most countries on  the continent  have imposed restrictions on public  gatherings , international travel and curfews  among other measures meant  to curb the spread of the virus..

The virus  hit  Africa  later than  other continents and  transmission rates are lower than elsewhere. still, this could translate into a prolonged , years-long outbreak,  WHO said.

Rawaa Ghanam