Authors: Sule H, Kumurya AS, Gwarzo MY, Yahaya H, Rogo LD.
Corona virus disease (COVID-19) is a global health threat that put panic in the minds of people worldwide. Although, the disease originate from China, but its effect covers the whole world. This review is to assess the effect of COVID-19 in the African continent. Data from already published researches were obtained, through which it was found that, Africa had its first confirmed index case of COVID-19 on the 14th of February, 2020, from Egypt, second case on 25th February, 2020, from Algeria while the 3rd was in Nigeria on the 27th of the same month. From there, the cases continue to spread throughout the continent. The review also highlighted on some factors that were thought can put Africa at higher risk of COVID-19; these include Africa China relation, which accounts for an average of 8 flights per day between the two regions, according to an investigation in 2018; endemic diseases that are common in the region and inefficient health system, among others. It was also observed according to the review that, world health organization (WHO) tried to upgrade the laboratory capacity for COVID-19 test in the continent at the time the disease hit the region. For that reason, between February 2nd and 10th March 2020, the laboratory capacity for COVID-19 test were raised, from 2 to 40 across the continent, WHO also provided 42,000 PCR test kits and 195,000 sample collection kits at around the same time. According to the review, as reported in WHO corona virus disease situation report of 9th July, 2020, at a point, in the progress of the disease in Africa, there were 493,131 cases with 11,643 deaths, indicating 25% cases increase and 18% deaths increase over a week. Based on the review, it can be concluded that, African countries are also victims of COVID-19, as a lot of them are still battling with the disease to date.
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