For the first time since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Africa has not noticed an increase in cases after the Christmas and New Year season.
While expressing cautious optimism about the sustained containment of the pandemic in Africa, the World Health Organization also warned that outbreaks are likely due to circulating variants and suggested countries remain vigilant.
Data from the UN firm indicates that Africa recorded 20,552 new cases of infection in the first 3 weeks of January, a 97% drop from the same time last year.
COVID-19 related deaths stood at 88, a 99% drop from the same year last.
The decline in COVID-19 cases and deaths came despite a surge in cases in South Africa, Tunisia and Zambia over the past two weeks.
“For the first time since COVID-19 shook our lives, January is synonymous with a flare-up. Africa enters the fourth year of the pandemic with the hope of moving beyond emergency response,” said Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa. Thursday at a virtual press conference, attributing the component’s drop to low testing rates.
Two waves
Africa has been hit by two major waves of the pandemic caused by more transmissible and fatal variants in 2021, but the WHO said the continent experienced no primary spikes last year.
With a slow reduction in COVID-19 cases over the past year, the WHO said low-level transmission of the virus is expected to continue in the coming months with occasional increases imaginable.
Despite the low number of cases, Moeti suggested African countries remain vigilant and take steps to prevent any resurgence of the infection, noting that variants continue to circulate.
Botswana and South Africa have detected Omicron subvariant XBB. 1. 5, one of the sublineages with public health implications.
Vaccination rates remain low in Africa, countries have stepped up efforts to expand training since last year, posing major health risks.
As of January 23, only about 30% of Africa’s population had completed the number one round of immunization, and only 4 countries in Africa had immunized more than 70% of their population.
To further increase coverage, Moeti suggested African countries integrate COVID-19 vaccination into the physical state of the regime that takes into account the wishes of the most vulnerable.
“So far, 12 African countries have integrated COVID-19 vaccination as a component of normal fitness services,” he said.