African states develop a strategy for covid-19

So far, only one case of covid-19 has been recorded on African soil. It was diagnosed in Egypt but has since recovered.

African Ministers meeting in Addis Ababa on Saturday agreed to work together to share information and monitor the movement of people as the number of victims of the virus – covid-19 – continues to rise worldwide.

“Our greatest concern remains the possibility that covid-19 could spread to countries with weaker health systems,” WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said at a briefing at the African Union headquarters. The African Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports that the continent is better prepared today than a month ago to deal with the disease.

The head of the World Health Organization also announced that John Nkengasong, director of the African Center for Disease Prevention and Control and Samba Sow, director-general of the Center for Vaccine Development in Mali, has been appointed as special envoys for the African response to covid-19.

Dozens of health workers have been trained, screening kits have been provided, and surveillance has improved in more than 25 African countries so far. A rapid response team made up of highly qualified medical experts has also been put in place to react to any new case of contamination.