COVID-19 continues to wreak havoc around the world

The Covid-19 pandemic continues to pull urgently needed resources away from under-developed and humanitarian situations around the world.  Since 05 October, there have been another 22 million recorded Covid cases, and 39,000 Covid-related death.  Far from being under control, this is the largest increase since the pandemic began earlier this year.

Whilst the overall number of cases in Africa remain low, most experts agree this is most likely due to low testing.  Notwithstanding this, Africa recorded a substantial rise in Covid-related deaths, with a 27 percent increase compared to the previous week.  South Africa continues to register more than half (56 percent) of all confirmed Covid cases.  Whilst there are a greater number of countries reporting increases, the pattern of increasing cases is driven by South Africa and Ethiopia, followed by Kenya, Uganda, and Algeria. Although the region had seen a slow but continuous decline in newly reported Covid cases since mid-July, there were 11 percent more Covid cases reported in the last seven days compared to the prior week, bringing the total number of cases to 1.2 million in Africa.

In countries like Sudan, where the health system suffers from years of underfunding, lack of staff, human resources, medicines, materials, equipment and medical supplies, the situation is particularly perilous. Recent flooding in Sudan has also led to an increased risk of vector and waterborne diseases, requiring strengthened disease surveillance and coordination. Covid has created additional challenges for the already under-resourced health system.

Education is also struggling to respond to the reality a lingering Covid.  In Rwanda, schools will remain closed to allow time for further health assessment and preparedness for resumption of in-person classes. Remote learning continues to be encouraged and many actors are working to strengthen remote learning systems.