Since fears of a global pandemic became a thing, the potential impact of COVID-19 has become a real concern, given the continent’s scant resources.
The coronavirus has had a devastating impact in even the first world, with China and Italy suffering heavily with close to 8 000 deaths between the two countries.
Cases in Africa have been steadily rising, hitting the 1 000- mark this weekend, with at least 40 of the 54 states of the continent impacted.
Coronavirus in Africa
Egypt was the first African country to record a death after a German fatality succumbed to the virus earlier in the month. Since then nine more people in the country have lost their lives to COVID-19, making it the heaviest hit African state.
Egypt – 294 (10 deaths)
Having been the first African country to record a confirm a case, Egypt was also the first to record a death. As of Saturday, it’s sitting on ten deaths and has the highest caseload on the continent.
South Africa – 240 cases (0 deaths)
South Africa recorded its first confirmed case earlier in the month, but the numbers have steadily risen to 240, as of Saturday.
Most of the cases are of people who have travelled to Europe and Asia, the two continents where the virus has had the heaviest impact. In sub-Saharan Africa, no nation has more reported cases.
Algeria – 139 (15 deaths)
Another country that has crossed the triple-figure mark in terms of infections is Algeria, and the North African state has recorded 15 deaths.
Morocco – 96 (3 deaths)
Approaching the 100-mark is Morocco, with 96 cases and three recorded deaths.
Burkina Faso – 64 (3 deaths)
Burkina Faso recorded the most deaths in sub-Saharan Africa after the third person in the country succumbed to the virus.
Tunisia – 60 (1)
Tunisia is also one of the few African states to report deaths, with one of their 60 confirmed cases turning up fatal.
Senegal – 60
The West African country was one of the first in the continent to confirm a coronavirus case, and that figure has now climbed to 56.
Cameroon – 40
Also in West Africa, Cameroon is high up with 40 confirmed COVID-19 cases.
Democratic Republic of Congo – 23 (1 death)
Nigeria – 22
Ghana – 21 (1 death)
Rwanda – 17
Mauritius – 14 (1 death)
Ivory Coast – 14
Ethiopia – 9
Other African countries to record COVID-19 cases
Kenya (7), Equatorial Guinea, Tanzania (both six), Gabon (five), Eswatini (four), Central African Republic, Zimbabwe, Liberia, Madagascar, Namibia (all three), Sudan (2 cases, 1 death), Angola, Benin, Guinea, Mauritania, Zambia (all two), Chad, Djibouti, Eritrea, Gambia, Niger, Somalia, Uganda (all one).
Source: The South African Read More
