Africa Observation丨The cumulative number of confirmed cases exceeds 2.8 million, and the difficulty of fighting the epidemic in Africa continues to increase, with a long way to go
According to data from the African Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as of 17:00 on January 3, Eastern Africa time, the total number of confirmed cases of new coronary pneumonia in Africa has reached 2,807,864, with a total of 66,631 deaths and a total of 2,320,063 cured.
According to the total number of confirmed cases, the top five are South Africa, Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt and Ethiopia. The total number of confirmed cases in South Africa has exceeded 1.08 million, the number of confirmed cases in Morocco has exceeded 440,000, the number of confirmed cases in Tunisia has exceeded 140,000, and the number of confirmed cases in Egypt has exceeded 1.08 million. There are 140,000 cases, and the total number of confirmed cases in Ethiopia exceeds 120,000.
In the past month, the epidemic situation in many countries in Africa has rebounded to varying degrees, and the epidemic situation in some countries has been fierce, even exceeding the peak of the previous epidemic.
Many countries have once again tightened their anti-epidemic policies and measures to meet the challenges brought about by the acceleration of the epidemic.
South Africa: Inadequate preparations, short-term vaccines are difficult to get in place, and the situation of the new crown epidemic is severe
As of January 2, local time, a total of 1088889 confirmed cases of new coronary pneumonia in South Africa, a total of 29,175 deaths, and a total of 897,704 people have been cured.
On January 3, local time, according to local media reports in South Africa, the country did not fully prepare for the second outbreak as it did for the first outbreak. At the same time, due to failure to pay in time, there will be no vaccine available in South Africa for a long time in the future.
Local media said that many medical experts have warned South African governments at all levels about the imminent second epidemic, but hospitals in other provinces have not made corresponding preparations except for the Western Cape Province, where Cape Town, the legislative capital of South Africa, is located.
At present, various hospitals in South Africa are operating at full capacity, but the number of people infected with the new crown virus continues to increase. Local media claim that South Africa's medical system is shaky under the impact of the second epidemic.
Local media emphasized that with insufficient hospital equipment, insufficient beds, and shortage of medical staff, vaccines could have been the country’s only hope.
However, the South African government has not delivered the vaccine balance in time, resulting in no vaccine available in South Africa for a long time in the future.
South Africa currently only paid 283 million rand (approximately 126 million yuan) for the vaccine down payment. The failure to pay the balance caused the time for South Africa to obtain the vaccine to be significantly delayed.
South Africa originally planned to spend 2.7 billion South African rand (approximately 1.2 billion yuan) to purchase 6 million doses of vaccines for use by 10% of South Africa’s population.
A representative of a vaccine manufacturer said, “Many countries have paid a lot of money to purchase vaccines in advance, and it is difficult to jump in the queue at present.
South African Health Minister Zweli Mukez recently told the public that there is an extreme shortage of medical staff in South Africa, and a large number of medical staff have been infected with the new crown virus. A large number of interns and other service industry practitioners are being drawn in for the second epidemic in South Africa. The medical industry provides emergency relief.
Kenya: Free vaccinations for the new crown vaccine for Kenyan citizens
Kenyan media recently reported that Kenya Minister of Health Mutahi Kagwe said that the new crown vaccine will be included in the country's national immunization plan, and Kenyan citizens will enjoy free vaccination.
Kenya and the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization have signed a new crown vaccine procurement agreement. After the vaccine is approved, it plans to purchase about 24 million doses of vaccine, covering more than 20% of the Kenyan population.
The Ministry of Health of Kenya will also allocate 10 billion shillings (approximately RMB 600 million) to purchase more vaccines in the first half of 2021. At that time, 438,000 health workers will be given priority to vaccinate. Other priority groups are police officers and the elderly. People and teachers.
A survey by the African Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that if the new crown vaccine is considered safe and effective, about 90% of Kenyans are willing to participate in the vaccination, which is higher than the average acceptance of the new crown vaccine in Africa, 79%.
Zimbabwe: The new crown epidemic is increasing rapidly, Zimbabwe implements more stringent bans
The Vice President and Minister of Health Chiwenga of Zimbabwe announced on January 2 local time that the Zimbabwe government has decided to tighten the “city closure” measures from now on and implement measures such as extending the curfew, closing commercial facilities, and restricting people’s going out in the next 30 days. Stop the spread of the new crown epidemic.
Chiwenga stated at a press conference held by the Zimbabwe government that according to the new "cities closure" measures, the national curfew will be extended from 18:00 to 6:00 the next day; except for supermarkets, pharmacies and hospitals, commercial facilities include restaurants. , Bars, gyms, etc. will be closed; people are required to "not go out unless necessary," except for purchasing necessities, seeking medical treatment, etc., under normal circumstances; gatherings such as weddings and religious ceremonies are prohibited, and funerals are allowed, but the number of attendance is limited Within 30 people.
Chiwenga stated that Zimbabwe will temporarily ban foreigners without a residence permit from entering.
In addition, companies in the mining, manufacturing, and agriculture sectors can continue to operate and produce under the premise of preventing epidemics. Other industries will suspend production activities for 30 days from the 5th.
Due to the worsening epidemic in neighboring South Africa and the increase in public travel activities during the New Year holidays, Zimbabwe is facing a second wave of new crown epidemics. The number of newly confirmed cases continues to rise. This week, there are nearly 1,500 new confirmed cases, an increase of 63% over the previous week.
Across Africa: Waiting for the International Monetary Fund to allocate 200 billion US dollars to deal with the new crown pneumonia epidemic
African media recently reported that African countries are waiting for the G20 including the United States to agree to allocate at least US$200 billion in reserves from the International Monetary Fund to help African countries resume economic development under the new crown pneumonia epidemic.
According to the report, the relevant proposals will be discussed at the spring meeting of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank in 2021, and 85% of the votes of IMF members will be required.
The United States is the largest shareholder of the International Monetary Fund, with a 16.51% share, and has a substantial veto power within the organization. Previously, under the instructions of the Trump administration, the United States made a reservation to postpone the decision.
And African countries hold only 7% of shares in the International Monetary Fund.
According to estimates by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, Africa will face an annual funding gap of US$100 billion in response to the epidemic in the next three years.
(Headquarters reporter He Xu)