The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has been reported across all continents and the disease is growing at a very brisk pace, both in terms of the number of reported cases and the attributed deaths.^1,2 It is important to note that the novel viral infection has been reported in 213 nations and territories.^1,2 As per the recent estimates, a cumulative caseload of 2,314,621 cases and 157,847 deaths has been reported globally since the outbreak begun in a single city in China.¹ The worst affected area has been the European region, wherein 1,149,071 cases has been reported and even the number of reported deaths (103,586) has clearly exceeded the number of deaths reported across the other 5 regions cumulatively.¹ The disease already has attained pandemic status and is a global health emergency that has impacted the lives of all the stakeholders and will require an aggressive and a dedicated response from all the stakeholders to flatten the epidemic curve of the disease.^1,2 

COVID-19 in the African region

Currently, the number of cases reported in the African region stands at 14,760 cases, and there is a potential risk for a sudden upsurge in the number of cases. However, it is worth noting that there has been a sudden rise in the number of cases in the last few days, with 868 cases reported in a single day.^1,3 The important fact is that the disease has been reported in 45 nations of the region. South Africa (3158 cases) and Algeria (2629 cases) are the most affected nations, while deaths has been reported in 31 of the affected nations.^1,3

Outbreak readiness in the African region

The recent changes in the dynamics of the disease have raised concerns about the level of preparedness in the region, but it is possible to reduce the aftermaths of the novel infection through capacity development and optimal utilization of the scarce resources in the region.^3-5 At the same time, it is important to acknowledge that the course of the disease in the African region might be extremely different from that of the severely affected nations like the United States of America, Spain, Italy, Germany, United Kingdom, France, etc., which all are developed nations and have a better equipped health system.¹ Further, the region has unique attributes that the majority of the population is comprised of youth (while until now the death rates have been found highest in the elderly), but then at the same time the problem of HIV infection and malnutrition among children is quite prevalent. Thus, the overall case distribution and death rate might totally differ in the region and it is yet to be understood.^3-5

Proposed interventions

The aim of the public health response has to be to avert the risk of community-level transmission in the region, as it will pose a significant burden predominantly on those nations which have a weak public health system or other competing public health priorities.^2,3 The need of the hour is that the region takes inspiration from the other affected nations and implements those steps which have resulted in the containment of the infection within their settings.^2-7 The first priority is to improve the surveillance, facilities for case detection and isolation, contact tracing and to ensure comprehensive enactment of the infection prevention and control strategies.⁶ In fact, in the region, the technicians have been trained to perform laboratory testing and at present 45 nations have the abilities to perform diagnostic test for the disease and this is an encouraging sign.^6,8 In addition, the risk communication mechanism has to be established and all efforts should be taken to improve the community engagement through creating awareness about the disease, motivating people to practice respiratory and hand hygiene and strictly practice social distancing.^6-8

In conclusion, COVID-19 could turn out to become one of the biggest public health emergencies in the African region and this calls for the need to be well prepared and to strengthen our response against this novel disease by working together until the infection is effectively contained.

1. World Health Organization. 2020. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) Situation Report – 91. Accessed on: April 21 2020. Available at: https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/situation-reports/20200420-sitrep-91-covid-19.pdf?sfvrsn=fcf0670b_4

2. Tian HY. [2019-nCoV: new challenges from coronavirus]. Zhonghua Yu Fang Yi Xue Za Zhi 2020;54:235-8.

3. World Health Organization. 2020. More than 600 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Africa. Accessed on: March 31 2020. Available at: https://www.afro.who.int/news/more-600-confirmed-cases-covid-19-africa

4. Nkengasong JN, Mankoula W. Looming threat of COVID-19 infection in Africa: act collectively, and fast. Lancet 2020; 395:841-2. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(20)30464-5

5. Nuwagira E, Muzoora C. Is Sub-Saharan Africa prepared for COVID-19? Trop Med Health 2020;48:18. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41182-020-00206-x

6. World Health Organization. 2019 novel coronavirus (2019‑nCoV): Strategic preparedness and response plan. Geneva, Switzerland: WHO press; 2020. pp: 1-20.

7. Kapata N, Ihekweazu C, Ntoumi F, et al. Is Africa prepared for tackling the COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) epidemic. Lessons from past outbreaks, ongoing pan-African public health efforts, and implications for the future. Int J Infect Dis 2020;93:233-6.

8. Wilder-Smith A, Freedman DO. Isolation, quarantine, social distancing and community containment: pivotal role for old-style public health measures in the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) outbreak. J Travel Med 2020; 27(2):taaa020. https://doi.org/10.1093/jtm/taaa020