The World Health Organization announced yesterday that Africa recorded more than half a million cases of "Covid-19", and many countries witnessed a sharp rise in cases, while the United Nations warned, yesterday, that the pandemic of "Covid-19" led to an increase Trafficking, smuggling of masks, sterilization preparations, and other poor quality or imitated medical products may present a danger to their users.
In detail, the World Health Organization stated that the Coruna virus has killed 11,595 people, so far, on the African continent.
The cases of "Covid-19" exceeded twice the cases recorded last month in more than 22 countries in the region, and the percentage of cases in Algeria, Egypt, Ghana, Nigeria and South Africa reached about 42% of the total cases.
According to the World Health Organization, South Africa is the most affected country on the continent, with 29% of the total number of cases in Africa registered. "In light of the doubling of the cases in more than a third of the countries of Africa, over the past month, the risk of undermining Covid-19 for the fragile health system on the continent is increasing," said Machdesso Mwiti, WHO regional director for Africa.
The spread of the pandemic is progressing slowly, in: Eritrea, The Gambia, Mali, Seychelles and Togo.
The World Health Organization said that 10 countries, including Egypt, witnessed a decrease in the number of infected cases during the past month.
It is noteworthy that 90% of those infected with «Covid-19», those aged 60 years or less, because of the large proportion of young people among the population of Africa .. probably.
This comes at a time when a report of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime has warned that organized crime groups have exploited the fears and anxieties associated with the Coronavirus, specializing in trafficking and smuggling of masks and medical products, taking advantage of the increased demand for them, and the scarcity of available quantities of them.
The report expected that the future focus will be on the anti-virus vaccine, when it is reached.
"Health and life are threatened by criminals who take advantage of the (Covid-19) crisis, to take advantage of the public's concern, and the growing demand for personal protection and medicines," said Ghada Wali, Director-General of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, in a statement.
She added that "transnational organized criminal groups exploit the loophole in national legislation and in surveillance to trade in low-quality and counterfeit medical products."
In March, 90 countries launched an operation coordinated by INTERPOL, targeting illegal online traffic in medicines and medical supplies. The operation resulted in the arrest of 121 people worldwide, the seizure of masks that did not meet health conditions, and more than $ 14 million.
In comparison with a similar process implemented in 2018, INTERPOL observed an 18% increase in seizures of unauthorized antiviral drugs and a 100% increase in seizures of unauthorized chloroquine, a drug to treat malaria, which some countries have used to treat people with HIV Corona Novel.
The UN office called for strengthening international cooperation, improving legislative frameworks, tightening sanctions, and for more effective training for workers in the medical products sector.
It should be noted that the report of the office, which is a "preliminary evaluation", is based on information collected by the office from the answers sent to it by member states, and through its own channels, as well as from open source analysis, from the media, or reports issued by specialized institutions and organizations.
While scientists warn of the emergence of the emerging coronavirus over the air, simulation models of a high-capacity computer in Japan indicated that operating suburban trains with open windows and reducing the number of passengers may reduce the risk of infection spreading.
In an open letter, published last Monday, 239 scientists, from 32 countries, outlined evidence they say shows the presence of the virus in airborne particles that can infect those who inhale it. The World Health Organization (WHO) acknowledged that evidence was emerging of the virus circulating in the air, but said it was not conclusive.
Even if the virus is transmitted through the air, Kyoto University professor Yuki Furusi said, the question marks remain of how large numbers are infected in this way. She added that the extent of the virus’s concentration in the air may also determine the risk of infection.
In the open letter, the scholars called for improved ventilation, avoiding crowded and closed places. Shin-ichi Tanabe, one of the co-authors of the message, said that Japan had generally adopted these recommendations months ago.
Organized crime groups exploited Corona-related concerns, specializing in trading in medical products and smuggling gags.
Operating suburban trains with open windows, and reducing the number of passengers, may reduce the risk of infection.