By Haruna Gimba
Five African countries account for 63 percent of the over 4.7 million COVID-119 cases reported in the continent so far.
This was disclosed by the Director of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Dr John Nkengasong.
Speaking during a press briefing, Dr Nkengasong noted that the 4,719,742 COVID-19 cases recorded on the continent accounts for three percent of total cases reported globally.
The five countries, according to the Africa CDC director, include; South Africa — 34 percent of total cases (1,621,362); Morocco — 11 percent of total cases (515,758); Tunisia — seven percent of total cases (329,925); Ethiopia — six percent of total cases (267,597) and Egypt — five percent of total cases (249,238).
The virologist says 127,352 deaths have been reported in Africa, with 4,271,871 recoveries.
He states that the continent accounts for four percent of deaths reported globally with a case fatality rate of 2.7 percent.
He notes that a total of 1,848 new deaths were reported in Africa representing a 12 percent decrease compared to the previous week.
According to him, there has been an overall four percent average increase in new deaths reported in Africa each week.
Speaking on COVID-19 vaccine, he said, as of 17th May, 2021, a total of over 39 million vaccine doses have been acquired by member states, with approximately 24 million doses having been administered.
“This figure corresponds to a coverage rate of 1.48 percent at the continental level, with 0.42 percent of the population having received a full vaccine regimen.
“To date, African Union member states have used 64.16 percent of the vaccine supply available, representing approximately a six percent increase since the last briefing,” he said.
Dr Nkengasong listed Nigeria among top five countries that have administered the most doses of their COVID-19 vaccines. Other countries are Morocco, Ethiopia, Egypt and Kenya.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti on her verified Twitter handle @MoetiTshidi on Thursday says COVID-19 vaccine shipments to African countries have slowed down to a trickle this month because of the reliance on India as one of the key manufacturers globally and the devastating surge of cases India is dealing with.
“While in Africa, on average fewer than two in 100 people have been received a dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, in some high-income countries more than eight out of 10 people have been reached.
“In 14 African countries less than one percent of the population has received a single COVID-19 vaccine dose and in four countries vaccination has not started.
“Vaccine deliveries to Africa have ground to a near halt, leaving many Africans, including those more vulnerable to severe illness and death, exposed to COVID-19. Dose sharing from high-income countries is an urgent, crucial part of the solution to Africa’s vaccine supply crunch.
“International solidarity is crucial in supporting the vaccine rollout. We welcome the pledge by the United States this week to share 80 million doses with other countries
“There is a great interest and push for COVID19 vaccine manufacturing on the African continent, and this is a promising medium- to long-term solution,” Moeti said.
