Africa Hits Over 100,000 Covid-19 Cases

More than 100,000 confirmed cases of Covid-19 have been recorded in Africa.

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (AfricaCDC) in a tweet said 103,933 cases of the viral infection have been recorded.

The Continent has also recorded an increase in its recoveries with 41,473 recorded as at May 23.

Deaths due to the virus have also increased to 3,183.

“#COVID19 update in Africa (As of 23 May 2020, 9 am East Africa Time)
54 @_AfricanUnion Member States reporting 103,933 cases, 3,183 deaths, and 41,473 recoveries.”

The World Health Organization (WHO) in a statement said, “The Covid-19 pandemic today reached a milestone in Africa, with more than 100,000 confirmed cases.

The virus has now spread to every country in the continent since the first case was confirmed in the region 14 weeks ago. ”

Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO regional director for Africa, said, “For now Covid-19 has made a soft landfall in Africa, and the continent has been spared the high numbers of deaths which have devastated other regions of the world.”

Even so, she said, “We must not be lulled into complacency as our health systems are fragile and are less able to cope with a sudden increase in cases.”

About half of African countries are experiencing community transmission of the virus, the WHO said.

By Jamila Akweley Okertchiri

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