Latest Developments
“The country is now preparing to go on lockdown from March 26; however, South Africa’s notorious disparity in living standards could impede the government’s attempts to flatten the curve and avoid a health crisis.”
“Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, has a case count of fewer than 50 coronavirus cases. But what’s become increasingly clear is that low number is not because the country has been lucky or particularly effective with preventing the spread of the disease—it’s more likely because local authorities are simply not testing enough people.”
“Many observers are concerned that the appearance of the high profile disease caused by coronavirus, COVID-19, will divert precious resources away from the more commonplace killers. This season’s outbreak of Lassa fever—the worst such outbreak in years—is a case in point.”
“Economists warn that the social and economic impact of COVID-19 will be huge. Small businesses are starting to feel the heat. For example, Ms. Hassan, a food vendor, fears that the spread of the virus could kill her business.”
“The Health minister Jane Ruth Aceng has confirmed Uganda’s first coronavirus case in a 36-year-old Ugandan male who arrived from Dubai on Saturday at 2.00 am aboard Ethiopian Airlines.”
“Rwanda Air, and Air Mauritius are among airlines that have suspended flights to China. Morocco has suspended all international flights to and from its territory “until further notice” and Kenya Airways also suspended flights to countries affected by the virus… African airlines have recorded a loss of up to $4.4 billion in revenue since the virus surfaced.”
“The shutdown of businesses and factories in China — a major manufacturing hub — in the past two months as the country grapples to contain the outbreak, have also caused delays in production and shipment of goods in different industries. It has raised concerns about potential shortages of health products and essential medicines.”
“As leader of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, Chikwe Ihekweazu works to protect the nation — and the world — from devastating outbreaks… Many argue that the best hope of mitigating such a catastrophe will come from the capacity of African nations to catch outbreaks early and stem their spread. Ihekweazu had written about this necessity long before it was in vogue — but he never imagined leading the effort himself.”
“African debt is on the rise, and that fact is causing tensions to spark in unexpected places. Total external debt for sub-Saharan Africa jumped nearly 150% to $583 billion in 2018 from $236 billion 10 years earlier, according to World Bank data. Many now worry the debt load is becoming unsustainable.”
A hub for information, analysis, and the global response to COVID-19’s impact on Africa