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Africa News
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Since the outbreak of the Coronavirus global pandemic, there have been discussions about how Africa has been able to relatively contain the spread of the virus. Analysts have cited inadequate medical equipment, health facilities and compared same with other continents that boast of better systems.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has disclosed why Africa has been able to manage COVID-19 against odds. The world's apex health body stated that the continent has hitherto dealt with several diseases and performed well.


WHO Director-General, Tedros Ghebreyeus hailed Africa at an online briefing on Monday for having 1.5% of the world's reported cases and less than 0.15 of deaths. He informed that "Africa is the least-affected region globally in terms of number of COVID-19 cases and deaths reported to WHO."


"The DG equally stated that the continent has been "spared on the scale of outbreaks unlike what has been witnessed in other regions." Ghebreyesus noted that African countries, "garnered a great deal of experience from tackling infectious diseases including polio, Ebola, yellow fever, influenza amongst others."


He further commended the rapid response by African Union (AU), headed by South Afr5ica's President, Cyril Ramaphosa. The WHO said the early set-up of a leaders' coalition was, "key to rapidly accelerating COVID-19 preparedness efforts and issuing comprehensive control measures". The body has suspended clinical trials of hydroxychloroquine as a potential treatment for Coronavirus.

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