Xinhua News Agency, Nairobi, May 24 (International Observation) Africa's confirmed diagnosis breaks through 100,000
Xinhua News Agency reporter Bai Lin Wang Xiaopeng Cao Kai
The number of confirmed cases of new crown pneumonia in Africa exceeded 100,000 on the 23rd. All African countries have reported confirmed cases of new crowns. Analysts pointed out that the medical conditions in Africa are relatively weak and there are many poor people, and the prevention and control of epidemic conditions are facing great pressure. With the help of the international community, African countries are actively taking measures to cope with the challenges posed by the epidemic.
The peak has not yet arrived
According to data released by the African Center for Disease Control and Prevention on the 23rd, a total of 103,933 confirmed cases of new crowns, 3,183 deaths and 41,473 cured cases have been accumulated in Africa. According to the policy brief of the New Crown Epidemic Impact on Africa released on the 20th by the United Nations, Africa is still in the early stages of the epidemic.
World Health Organization Africa Regional Director Machidiso Muti said that although it seems that the new crown epidemic is not spreading in Africa as quickly as it is in other regions, the epidemic situation in some African countries has become more serious and continues to ferment.
Taking South Africa as an example, the country has reported more than 18,000 confirmed cases. A team of medical experts who advised the South African Ministry of Health said that according to existing models, by the end of May, the number of confirmed cases in South Africa may exceed 30,000, and the peak of the epidemic may appear between mid-July and August.
It is worth noting that the lack of detection capabilities may cause the severity of the African epidemic to be underestimated. Guinea-Bissau tested 92 people on the 20th, of which 20 were diagnosed.
Analysts pointed out that all African countries now have confirmed cases of new crowns. The epidemic situation in Africa shows the characteristics of spreading from single point to multiple points and spreading from cities to rural areas. Affected by factors such as limited medical conditions and a large number of poor people, the risk of further aggravating the epidemic in Africa persists.
The WHO Regional Office for Africa predicted in early May that if prevention and control fail, the epidemic may cause 44 million infections and 190,000 deaths in Africa in the first year.
Countries actively respond
Wang Xiaochun, a senior adviser from China's African Center for Disease Control and Prevention, pointed out that strict anti-epidemic measures have been introduced in many African countries. According to incomplete statistics, 43 countries in Africa have closed their borders, 23 countries have imposed curfews, and 14 countries have adopted closure measures.
Muti also said that in view of the effective anti-epidemic measures adopted by some African countries, the number of new crown infections in Africa will be less than previously expected, and the peak of the epidemic will also be delayed.
The African Center for Disease Control and Prevention said on the 20th that as of now, the mortality rate of new crown cases in Africa is about 3.4%. According to the WHO, compared with other continents, the spread of the new crown epidemic in Africa is slower and the mortality rate is lower. This is largely affected by the social and environmental factors of Africa and the composition of the younger population.
Analysts pointed out that although measures such as maintaining social distance and avoiding contact can curb the spread of the epidemic to some extent, strict control is bound to have an impact on social and economic activities. How to achieve a balance between controlling the epidemic and restoring the economy is a problem faced by many African countries.
The South African government has reduced the level of the "closed city" measure to four from May 1, and plans to further relax to three at the end of May. The Uganda government plans to resume hotel and restaurant operations on the 26th. In addition to the border areas, private cars will also resume on the road, but the number of people in the car, including the driver, must not exceed 3 people and must wear masks.
Unity and cooperation
UN Secretary General Guterres said recently that the new crown epidemic is not just a health crisis, but also a human crisis. The epidemic is not just a virus pandemic, but also brings unemployment and humanitarian crises. "Facing the unprecedented challenge of the new crown epidemic, whether the international community can mobilize with Africa will be the most important test for global solidarity."
Allianz Group ’s chief economic adviser Mohamed Erian pointed out that the international community, especially developed countries, should provide African countries with more extensive support through debt relief to avoid humanitarian tragedies.
In a statement on the 21st, WHO said that since the outbreak, WHO has trained more than 7,000 African medical workers, and is currently working closely with African governments to train medical personnel, improve detection capabilities, and strengthen tracking. Contacts, etc. cooperate. The International Monetary Fund has also approved billions of dollars in emergency aid to ease the financial pressure caused by the epidemic in some African countries.
Since the outbreak of the African epidemic, China has actively extended a helping hand to Africa. At present, China has delivered a large amount of medical aid materials to more than 50 African countries and the African Union, and has specially dispatched 5 medical expert groups. Currently, 46 Chinese medical teams stationed in Africa are investing in local anti-epidemic operations. In addition, China will establish a cooperation mechanism with 30 Chinese-African counterpart hospitals, accelerate the construction of the headquarters of the African Center for Disease Control, and help Africa improve its disease prevention and control capabilities. (Participating reporters: Wang Shoubao, Jing Jing, Zhang Yuliang)