News & Analysis: New waves and outbreaks
“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.'”
“Second lockdown is poised to throw the economy, especially small-scale further into uncertainty.”
“Lagos continues to serve as the epicentre of a new wave of COVID-19 as it logged 153 cases in two days. The state almost accounted for the total of 161 cases announced by NCDC today. Federal Capital Territory of Abuja reported four cases and Gombe two. Oyo and Rivers reported a case each.”
“As the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic was ending in Nigeria and some other African countries, little did anyone know that a more infectious and deadly strain of the virus was yet to emerge.”
“Of the new cases, the NICD said that 8,543 were recorded in Gauteng, followed by 1,945 cases recorded in the Western Cape.”
“The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has warned that the number of COVID-19 infections in Libya is on the rise.”
“The latest diagnostics and symptoms manifested in COVID-19 patients in Rwanda confirm the presence of Delta Variant in the country, an official has said. Dr Daniel Ngamije, Rwanda’s Minister of Health, said the current virus spreads faster, is deadlier and has symptoms different from what was known before.”
“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.”
“A day after news leaked that 30 COVID-19 patients died after the oxygen supply malfunctioned at Mulago hospital on Tuesday, authorities at the facility have announced that they will install a fifth oxygen plant to meet the increased demand.”
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