Relatively spared yesterday, Africa suffered the second wave of coronavirus, whatever the variant. Mortality is increasing because the health care systems are inefficient. Oxygen is running out. Vaccination is organized, but doses are slow to arrive.
In the space of a few weeks, Africa has become the source of all concern. According to CDC Africa, the second wave of the Covid-19 epidemic is deadlier in Africa than in the rest of the world. The death rate from the disease stands at 2.5% of recorded cases, above the global average of 2.2%, explained the director of the African Union agency, John Nkengasong, during of a press conference. On the mainland, the number of cases has increased by 14% per week for the past month.
Certainly, over a year, Africa remains relatively unaffected: 3.3 million recorded cases and less than 82,000 deaths. However, the increase in the death rate marks a breakthrough, having remained below the world average until now. “We are seeing a turnaround,” John Nkengasong warned, quoted by AFP. “This is one of the notable characteristics of the second wave, which we have to fight hard.”
Today, 21 African countries have death rates above the global average. Notably, Sudan, Egypt, Liberia. It can be explained by an increase in the number of infections and patients, which healthcare systems cannot cope with.
The dynamics of the epidemic “are beyond the capacity of nurses and doctors to care for patients,” says John Nkengasong. “Patients are not getting the attention and care they need because we have a limited number of beds and supplies, while oxygen needs are becoming critical. In Nigeria, health authorities must “choose which patients to take care of and which to refuse treatment”.
“Us first, not me first”!
The African Union has ordered 270 million vaccines for the continent, in addition to those planned through the Covax system. Negotiations are underway with Russia and China to order additional doses, but “we don’t have a deal yet,” said John Nkengasong.
On the subject of vaccines, many voices fear that Africa will be left behind, as Western countries negotiate the acquisition of doses on their own, driving up prices.
Since the start of the week of January 18, 40 million doses of the vaccine have been administered in 50 countries, most of them high income. In Africa, Guinea is the only low-income country to provide vaccines and so far these have only been administered to 25 people. Seychelles, a high-income country, is the only one on the continent to have launched a national vaccination campaign.
“Us first, not me first: this is the only way to end the pandemic,” insisted Matshidiso Moeti, WHO director for Africa, during a round table on the pandemic in Africa. “The hoarding of vaccines will only prolong the ordeal and delay Africa’s recovery. It is deeply unfair that the most vulnerable Africans are forced to wait for vaccines when less risky populations in rich countries are made to safety. “ According to Dr Matshidiso Moeti, “Health workers and vulnerable people in Africa urgently need access to safe and effective Covid-19 vaccines.”
“Covax is on track to start delivering vaccine doses and ensuring global access to vaccines,” said Thabani Maphosa, executive director of country programs for GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance. “This immense international commitment was made possible by donations, work around dose sharing agreements and agreements with producers, which allowed us to obtain the guarantee of 2 billion doses. We look forward to deploying these vaccines in the coming weeks.”
In Africa, the coalition has pledged to immunize at least 20% of the population by the end of 2021 by providing a maximum of 600 million doses, based on two doses per person, distributed in phases.
According to the WHO Vaccine Readiness Assessment Tool, African nations are on average 42% ready for mass vaccination campaigns, an improvement from 33% rated two months ago. However, there is still a long way to go before reaching the desired 80% threshold.
