Conscious of the constant influx of information on COVID-19, we have prepared a weekly roundup on COVID-19 in Africa to allow you take a break from the news cycle whenever you want knowing that you can always catch up on the updates every Monday.

Let’s take a look at what happened last week!

The good news is that globally Africa still has the least number of confirmed cases and deaths. The sad news is that the number of new cases and new deaths continue to increase.

Last week Botswana, Burundi, Sierra Leone and Malawi joined the list of African countries who recorded their first confirmed cases. This brought Africa’s total confirmed cases to 8,607.

This pandemic has the continent battling a health crisis which is being managed by measures (shutdowns) that are likely to induce or exacerbate a food crisis. Countries like Ghana, Rwanda and South Africa have announced social protection initiatives to support their most vulnerable population, but more will be expected as the lockdowns continue.

Many member states have initiated social measures for combating the spread of COVID 19 by implementing social distancing, reducing the gatherings of crowds, enforcing lockdowns through the closure of non-essential services as well as coordinated reorganization of health care and social services networks to protect hospitals.

What is the data in the regions telling us? 

North African had the most confirmed cases on the continent by the end of the week, steadily growing in the hundreds every day. Between Saturday (4/4) and Sunday (5/4), the number of deaths rose from 204 to 288. Measures to curb the spread include shutdown and physical distancing but also Morocco and Libya are pardoning prisoners and releasing pre- trial prisoners respectively.

 Southern Africa recorded 1,683 confirmed cases by 05/04 with 90% of its cases and deaths in South Africa. The end of this week marked 9 days into a 21-days lockdown across the country to curb the spread of the virus.

 At the close of the week in West Africa, the highest number of cases were recorded in Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Senegal, Nigeria and Ghana in descending order. All countries in West Africa have recorded at least one case with the highest number of deaths at 15 in Burkina Faso.

Central and East Africa have managed to keep the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases relatively low.

Cameroon recorded the highest number of confirmed cases in Central Africa and DRC the highest number of deaths.

 In East Africa, the numbers continue to grow closing the week at 694 confirmed cases, but the deaths stayed as low as 14. Rwanda was the first country to announce a complete shutdown to curb the spread of the virus.

Source- WHO COVID-19 Situation Reports 70-76