SAWT BEIRUT INTERNATIONAL

| 28 March 2024, Thursday |

Africa moving toward control of COVID-19: WHO director

Africa is in the “control phase” of the COVID-19 pandemic, and improved vaccination rates will be critical in assisting the continent in dealing with the illness, according to World Health Organization Africa Director Matshidiso Moeti on Thursday.

“Although COVID-19 will stay with us for a long time,” Moeti remarked, “there is light at the end of the tunnel.” “This year, we can put a stop to the upheaval and damage caused by the virus and reclaim control of our lives.”

Africa is on the verge of becoming “a form of endemic, living with the virus… I believe we are moving from the pandemic phase, and we will now need to manage the existence of this virus,” she told reporters during a virtual media conference.

“Over the last two years, the African continent has become wiser, faster, and better at reacting to each new increase of COVID-19 cases,” Moeti added. “Despite the difficulties, including large disparities in vaccine access, we’ve weathered the COVID-19 storm with perseverance and drive… COVID-19, on the other hand, has cost us dearly, with over 242,000 lives lost and massive economic damage.”

Moeti’s confidence contrasts significantly with the cautions of WHO Geneva Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who has stated repeatedly that the pandemic is not ended and that nations should not expect the end to be soon.

“Wherever you reside, COVID-19 isn’t through with us yet,” Tedros stated this week. He has warned that new coronavirus strains are anticipated and might undermine the gains accomplished thus far, citing African populations as particularly vulnerable.

According to the World Bank, the COVID-19 epidemic has driven up to 40 million people into severe poverty on the continent, and each month of delay in lifting containment restrictions is predicted to cost Africa US$ 13.8 billion in lost GDP, according to Moeti.

According to Moeti, it is concerning that just 11 percent of Africa’s adult population has been vaccinated despite the continent receiving over 670 million vaccine doses. According to WHO data, Africa is one of the continents least afflicted by COVID-19, albeit cases and fatalities have been undercounted, as they have been elsewhere.

Some analysts explain this to the continent’s youthful demographic and proclivity to spend more time outside, among other things.

According to Moeti, it is concerning that just 11 percent of Africa’s adult population has been vaccinated despite the continent receiving over 670 million vaccine doses. According to WHO data, Africa is one of the continents least afflicted by COVID-19, albeit cases and fatalities have been undercounted, as they have been elsewhere.

Some analysts explain this to the continent’s youthful demographic and proclivity to spend more time outside, among other things.

 

    Source:
  • Associated Press