WHO Warns Of COVID-19 Third Wave In Africa

The World Health Organisation has warned of an impending third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Africa.

Speaking during a press briefing on Tuesday, the Organisation’s Country Representative, Walter Kazadi Mulombo said that many lives in Africa are at stake as the continent approaches its five million infection milestone.

According to him, in the last two weeks, Africa recorded a 53 percent increase in cases compared with the previous fortnight.

He said, “COVID-19 cases on the African continent will soon pass the five million mark and as Africa heads towards a sad milestone and a looming third wave, many African lives are at stake:

“There are, however, five countries including Democratic Republic of the Congo, Namibia, South Africa, Uganda and Zambia currently experiencing resurgence.

“The threat of a 3rd wave of COVID-19 is real and is raising in the African Region, including Nigeria.”

He stressed on the need for a rapid roll-out of COVID-19 vaccines while intensifying COVID-19 preventive measures such as physical distancing, wearing a mask, keeping rooms well ventilated, avoiding crowds, among others.

Speaking further, Mulombo noted that while an increasing number of persons in Nigeria are being fully vaccinated, there is a need for all to continue to adhere to the non-pharmaceutical interventions as recommended by the NCDC.

He also commended the G7 countries for pledges of dose sharing, notably from the United States and United Kingdom.

In his remark, the Executive Director, National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Faisal Shuaib, the government working with international partners to confirm the next shipment of vaccines to Nigeria.

According to him, the commitment of G7 leaders to delivering at least one billion coronavirus vaccine doses to the world over the next year, is a positive step in global fight against COVID-19 pandemic.

“While this will not close the enormous gap that exists today, it is a positive step and we welcome the new focus.

“Additionally, President Biden announced on the eve of the summit that the US will purchase 500 million doses of the Pfizer-bioNTech vaccine and donate them to low- and middle-income countries through the next year.

“This pledge is by far the largest yet by one country,” he said.