Africa is facing a surge in the third wave of the COVID-19
pandemic, says Dr Matshidiso Moeti.
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Moeti, World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Director for
Africa, spoke on Thursday during an online news briefing on the 3rd
wave of COVID-19 in Africa and monitored by the News Agency of
Nigeria (NAN)
![image](/2021/05/NBASBL2021.jpg")
She said the surge is spreading more rapidly and projected to
soon overtake the peak of the second wave the continent witnessed
at the start of 2021.
NAN reports that COVID-19 cases have risen for five consecutive
weeks since the onset of the third wave on May 3.
As of 20 June 20 — Day 48 into the new wave — Africa had
recorded around 474 000 new cases — a 21 per cent increase compared
with the first 48 days of the second wave.
At the current rate of infections, the ongoing surge is set to
surpass the previous one by early July, as the pandemic is
resurging in 12 African countries.
Moeti noted that a combination of factors, including weak
observance of public health measures, increased social interaction
and movement as well as the spread of variants are powering the new
surge.
According to her, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and
Uganda that are experiencing COVID-19 resurgence, the Delta variant
has been detected in most samples sequenced in the past month.
She noted that across Africa, the variant — first identified in
India — has been reported in 14 countries.
“The third wave is picking up speed, spreading faster, hitting
harder. With rapidly rising case numbers and increasing reports of
serious illness, the latest surge threatens to be Africa’s worst
yet.
“Africa can still blunt the impact of these fast-rising
infections, but the window of opportunity is closing. Everyone
everywhere can do their bit by taking precautions to prevent
transmission,” Moeti said.
She said WHO is deploying more experts to some of the
worst-affected countries, including Uganda and Zambia as well as
supporting South Africa-based regional laboratories to monitor
variants of concern.
The WHO Regional Director for Africa said the global body is
also boosting innovative technological support to other
laboratories in the region without sequencing capacities to better
monitor the evolution of the virus.
“In the next six months, WHO is aiming for an eight- to ten-fold
increase in the samples sequenced each month in Southern African
countries. The COVID-19 upsurge comes as the vaccine supply crunch
persists.
“Eighteen African countries have used over 80 per cent of their
COVAX vaccine supplies, with eight having exhausted their
stocks.
“Twenty-nine countries have administered over 50 per cent of
their supplies. Despite the progress, just over 1 per cent of
Africa’s population has been fully vaccinated.
“Globally, around 2.7 billion doses administered, of which just
under 1.5 per cent have been administered in the continent,” she
said.
Moeti explained that as many high-income countries vaccinate a
significant proportion of their populations, proof of vaccination
is leading to fewer movement restrictions.
She added that globally, 16 countries are waiving quarantine for
those with a vaccination certificate.
“Measures to prevent COVID-19 transmission are crucial, but with
many African countries having limited access to vaccines, it is
important that vaccines be only one of the conditions countries use
to open borders and increase freedom of movement.
“With high vaccination rates, it’s shaping up into a summer of
freedom, family and fun for millions of people in richer countries.
This is understandable and we all long for the same joys.
“Vaccine shortages are already prolonging the pain of COVID-19
in Africa. Let’s not add injury to injustice.
“Africans must not face more restrictions because they are
unable to access vaccines that are only available elsewhere.
I urge all regional and national regulatory agencies to
recognize all the vaccines Emergency Use listed by WHO,” Moeti
said.
NAN also reports that Moeti was joined during the virtual
conference by Mr Kamil Alawadi, Regional Vice President for Africa
and the Middle East, International Air Transport Association
(IATA).
Also on hand to answer questions were Dr Richard Mihigo,
Coordinator, Immunization and Vaccines Development Programme, WHO
Regional Office for Africa.
Others were Dr Thierno Balde, Team Leader, Operational
Partnerships, WHO Regional Office for Africa, and Dr Nicksy
Gumede-Moeletsi, Regional Virologist, WHO Regional Office for
Africa.
Africa is facing a surge in the third wave of the COVID-19
pandemic, says Dr Matshidiso Moeti.
Moeti, World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Director for
Africa, spoke on Thursday during an online news briefing on the 3rd
wave of COVID-19 in Africa and monitored by the News Agency of
Nigeria (NAN)
She said the surge is spreading more rapidly and projected to
soon overtake the peak of the second wave the continent witnessed
at the start of 2021.
NAN reports that COVID-19 cases have risen for five consecutive
weeks since the onset of the third wave on May 3.
As of 20 June 20 — Day 48 into the new wave — Africa had
recorded around 474 000 new cases — a 21 per cent increase compared
with the first 48 days of the second wave.
At the current rate of infections, the ongoing surge is set to
surpass the previous one by early July, as the pandemic is
resurging in 12 African countries.
Moeti noted that a combination of factors, including weak
observance of public health measures, increased social interaction
and movement as well as the spread of variants are powering the new
surge.
According to her, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and
Uganda that are experiencing COVID-19 resurgence, the Delta variant
has been detected in most samples sequenced in the past month.
She noted that across Africa, the variant — first identified in
India — has been reported in 14 countries.
“The third wave is picking up speed, spreading faster, hitting
harder. With rapidly rising case numbers and increasing reports of
serious illness, the latest surge threatens to be Africa’s worst
yet.
“Africa can still blunt the impact of these fast-rising
infections, but the window of opportunity is closing. Everyone
everywhere can do their bit by taking precautions to prevent
transmission,” Moeti said.
She said WHO is deploying more experts to some of the
worst-affected countries, including Uganda and Zambia as well as
supporting South Africa-based regional laboratories to monitor
variants of concern.
The WHO Regional Director for Africa said the global body is
also boosting innovative technological support to other
laboratories in the region without sequencing capacities to better
monitor the evolution of the virus.
“In the next six months, WHO is aiming for an eight- to ten-fold
increase in the samples sequenced each month in Southern African
countries. The COVID-19 upsurge comes as the vaccine supply crunch
persists.
“Eighteen African countries have used over 80 per cent of their
COVAX vaccine supplies, with eight having exhausted their
stocks.
“Twenty-nine countries have administered over 50 per cent of
their supplies. Despite the progress, just over 1 per cent of
Africa’s population has been fully vaccinated.
“Globally, around 2.7 billion doses administered, of which just
under 1.5 per cent have been administered in the continent,” she
said.
Moeti explained that as many high-income countries vaccinate a
significant proportion of their populations, proof of vaccination
is leading to fewer movement restrictions.
She added that globally, 16 countries are waiving quarantine for
those with a vaccination certificate.
“Measures to prevent COVID-19 transmission are crucial, but with
many African countries having limited access to vaccines, it is
important that vaccines be only one of the conditions countries use
to open borders and increase freedom of movement.
“With high vaccination rates, it’s shaping up into a summer of
freedom, family and fun for millions of people in richer countries.
This is understandable and we all long for the same joys.
“Vaccine shortages are already prolonging the pain of COVID-19
in Africa. Let’s not add injury to injustice.
“Africans must not face more restrictions because they are
unable to access vaccines that are only available elsewhere.
I urge all regional and national regulatory agencies to
recognize all the vaccines Emergency Use listed by WHO,” Moeti
said.
NAN also reports that Moeti was joined during the virtual
conference by Mr Kamil Alawadi, Regional Vice President for Africa
and the Middle East, International Air Transport Association
(IATA).
Also on hand to answer questions were Dr Richard Mihigo,
Coordinator, Immunization and Vaccines Development Programme, WHO
Regional Office for Africa.
Others were Dr Thierno Balde, Team Leader, Operational
Partnerships, WHO Regional Office for Africa, and Dr Nicksy
Gumede-Moeletsi, Regional Virologist, WHO Regional Office for
Africa.