WHO - The African Mirror

Aug

2020

COVID-19 cases slow in South African hotspot provinces, minister says

THREE South African provinces considered coronavirus hotspots have seen new infections slow in recent weeks, though it is too early to say whether the country's peak has passed, the health minister said on Wednesday. South Africa has the world's fifth highest number of infections, with cases passing 500,000 over the weekend, despite a strict lockdown since late March. On Wednesday the World Health Organisation (WHO) said it was sending a "surge team" of 43 experts to the country to help the Health Ministry with "surveillance and streamlining of epidemiological systems and WHO global COVID-19 response guidelines". Financial hub Gauteng, tourist…

Aug

2020

By The African Mirror

WHO says China team interviewed Wuhan scientists over virus origins

WORLD

A World Health Organization team in China to probe the origins of COVID-19 had "extensive discussions" and exchanges with scientists in Wuhan where the outbreak was first detected, a spokesman has said. The talks included updates on animal health research, he said. China shut down a wildlife market in Wuhan at the start of the outbreak, a day after discovering some patients were vendors or dealers. The WHO says the virus most likely came from bats and probably had another, intermediary animal "host". The results of the WHO investigation are keenly awaited by scientists and governments around the world, none…

Aug

2020

By The African Mirror

There may never be a ‘silver bullet’ for COVID-19, WHO warns

COVID-19

MICHAEL SHIELDS and EMMA FARGE THE World Health Organization warned on Monday that, despite strong hopes for a vaccine, there might never be a "silver bullet" for COVID-19, and the road to normality would be long. More than 18.14 million people around the world are reported to have been infected with the disease and 688,080 have died, according to a Reuters tally, with some nations that thought they were over the worst experiencing a resurgence. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and WHO emergencies head Mike Ryan exhorted all nations to rigorously enforce health measures such as mask-wearing, social distancing, hand-washing…

Jul

2020

By The African Mirror

Zimbabwe government minister died from COVID-19

COVID-19

ZIMBABWE's agriculture minister Perrance Shiri died from the COVID-19 infection, becoming the first senior government official to succumb to the pandemic, President Emmerson Mnangagwa has revealed. Shiri, a retired general who helped plot a coup that ousted Robert Mugabe in 2017, died on Wednesday. The late liberation war veteran was declared a national hero and will be buried on Friday during a closed ceremony. "Now that it is confirmed that Minister Shiri died of COVID-19, we will follow World Health Organisation regulations on how the funeral should proceed," Mnangagwa said during a funeral wake at Shiri's home in Harare. Zimbabwe…

Jul

2020

By The African Mirror

WHO says COVID-19 pandemic is “one big wave”, not seasonal

COVID-19

EMMA FARGE A World Health Organization official has described the COVID-19 pandemic as "one big wave" and warned against complacency in the northern hemisphere summer since the infection does not share influenza's tendency to follow seasons. WHO officials have been at pains to avoid describing a resurgence of COVID-19 cases like those in Hong Kong as "waves" as this suggests the virus is behaving in ways beyond human control, when in fact concerted action can slow its spread. Margaret Harris repeated that message in a virtual briefing in Geneva. "We are in the first wave. It's going to be one…

Jul

2020

By The African Mirror

How Tanzania’s spousal escort policy frustrates antenatal health care

HEALTH

STEPHEN MALUKA, Senior Lecturer, Institute of Development Studies, University of Dar es Salaam GOOD care during pregnancy is important for the health of mothers and the development of unborn babies. Antenatal care contributes to a woman’s overall good health as well as linking her and her family to the health system, and increasing her chances of using a skilled attendant at birth. The World Health Organisation (WHO) puts great store on care during pregnancy because, by its own estimates, 25% of maternal deaths occur during pregnancy. But antenatal care isn’t the norm for millions of women across Africa. In Tanzania,…

Jul

2020

By The African Mirror

Africa’s confirmed COVID-19 cases exceed 750,000

COVID-19

TOTAL confirmed coronavirus cases in Africa have passed 750,000, a Reuters tally of government and World Health Organization data showed on Wednesday. The tally showed the continent had 751,151 cases, 15,721 deaths and 407,461 recoveries. Cases crossed the 500,000 mark on July 8. The virus hit Africa later than other continents and transmission rates are lower than elsewhere. Still, this could translate into a prolonged, years-long outbreak, WHO said in May. Most countries on the continent have imposed restrictions on public gatherings and international travel and introduced curfews among other steps meant to curb the spread of the virus. Although…

Jul

2020

By The African Mirror

West Congo Ebola cases up to 60, funerals a risk, says WHO

NEWS

EBOLA cases in western Democratic Republic of Congo have risen to 60, with funerals a particular concern for disease spread, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Monday. WHO emergencies expert Mike Ryan said another three cases were detected at the weekend, making a total of 56 confirmed and four probable infections in an outbreak announced last month in Congo's Equateur province. "The disease is active, not controlled," Ryan told a virtual briefing from the U.N. agency's headquarters in Geneva, noting burial practices as a worry. - Thomson Reuters Foundation.

Jul

2020

By The African Mirror

WHO reports record daily increase in global coronavirus cases, up over 237,000

COVID-19

The World Health Organization reported a record increase in global coronavirus cases on Friday, with the total rising by 237,743 in 24 hours. The biggest increases were from the United States, Brazil, India and South Africa, according to a daily report. The previous WHO record for new cases was 230,370 on July 12. Deaths have held steady and averaged less than 5,000 a day in July. Total global coronavirus cases were approaching 14 million on Friday, according to a Reuters tally, marking another milestone in the spread of the disease that has killed more than 590,000 people in seven months.