Algeria is the African country with the highest number of deaths at 364, followed by Egypt with 205, Morocco 135 and South Africa 50, according to the figures compiled at 20:00 GMT on Friday, 17 April 2020.
Confirmed cases in Africa
African countries have recorded a total of 19 334 infections since the virus emerged in China in late December, the figures show.
Africa has so far suffered less than other regions from COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus – at least according to official numbers.
But limited testing in many countries has deprived African officials of a full picture of the disease’s spread. The worldwide death toll has topped 150 000 people while more than 2.2 million infections have been declared.
Health experts have warned of the devastation the deadly virus could cause in Africa, where most hospitals are desperately short of equipment and trained staff.
Africa needs billions to fight the COVID-19 pandemic
The World Health Organisation last month warned Africa faced a dramatic evolution of the pandemic even as governments imposed restrictions, curfews and travel bans to help curb the spread.
The continent appears poorly equipped to manage a major health crisis and is struggling to test enough to monitor virus cases. The statement read:
“This is an important start, but the continent needs an estimated $114 billion in 2020 in its fight against COVID-19, leaving a financing gap of around $44 billion”.
Containment measures in poorer parts of Africa have also been difficult to enforce in impoverished and densely populated neighbourhoods, where houses are overcrowded and most survive thanks to informal work.
The World Bank and IMF said on Friday that Africa needs $44 billion (R830 billion) more to fight the coronavirus pandemic despite a freeze in debt payments for many countries and massive pledges of support to help the continent prepare for a possible surge in infections and the economic fallout.
Coronavirus deaths worldwide top 150 000
More than 150 000 people have now died around the world from the coronavirus pandemic, according to an AFP tally based on official figures.
A total of 150 142 deaths were recorded by 19:00 GMT on Friday 17 April 2020, with almost two-thirds – or 96 721 confirmed cases – now in Europe.
The United States has the highest single toll, with 34,575 deaths, the data showed.
More than 2 207 730 cases of COVID-19 have been reported in 193 countries and territories, according to figures collected by AFP from national authorities and information from the World Health Organisation (WHO).
The numbers probably reflect only a fraction of the actual number of infections. However, because many countries are testing only the most serious cases.
At least 483 000 cases are considered as having been cured. After the US, the countries reporting the most deaths are Italy with 22 745 followed by Spain with 19 478 and France with 18 681.
© Agence France-Presse
Source: The South African Read More
