“Although distorted by low sampling numbers and blind spots, the findings highlight that Africa must not be left behind in the global pandemic response, otherwise it could become a source for new variants.”
“Change can be daunting, but it is far less scary than the alternative. Radical changes in government policy, in business behaviour and in our personal choices over the past 18 months demonstrate that previously unthinkable actions can be undertaken.”
“It is easy to be pessimistic about the impact of COVID-19 on African agribusiness but some players in the food supply chain have enjoyed great success over the past year.”
“‘Patients, particularly young ones, are arriving in respiratory distress,’ Dr. Khardiata Diallo, head of infectious disease at Fann hospital in Dakar, said, her voice cracking with exhaustion. ‘We’ve never had this number of cases, deaths and severe cases. Frankly, this third wave threatens to drown us.'”
“WHO regional director for Africa Matshidiso Moeti said that hospital admissions for severely ill COVID-19 patients had reached unprecedented levels in about 10 countries; at least six countries were facing shortages in intensive care unit beds and medical oxygen.”
“‘The surge in cases has necessitated a lockdown in the city of Kigali and other 8 districts,’ read a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office. ‘Citizens are urged to significantly reduce social interactions, and limit movements to only essential services.'”
“Very few vaccines have found their way into the arms of Africans as countries struggle with a surge in COVID-19 infections. Several countries now want to start producing vaccines on the continent. Can they succeed?”
As part of the Milken Institute Future of Health Summit, CNBC’s Meg Tirrell spoke to José Manuel Barroso, Board Chair of Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance, and Strive Masiyiwa, the African Union Special Envoy to the African Vaccine Acquisition Task Team. Watch the contentious discussion now >>
“East Africa is in the throes of a public health crisis as its healthcare systems sag under the weight of a rapid third wave of COVID-19, largely blamed on the deadly Delta strain.”
“Nine doctors have died of COVID-19 in Uganda in the last fortnight, as a devastating new wave of coronavirus infections sweeps over the country.”
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