COVID-19 Pandemic: How Prepared is Sub-Sahara Africa to Deal with this Dreadful "Guest "?

Authors: Balogun O, Anzaku AA*, Momoh-Negedu O, Odoh I and Badaru S

Volume 5, Issue 1

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic is a public health challenge of international concern with the death toll on the rise. COVID-19 began from Wuhan, in China and has spread to over 210 countries of the world with over 85.7 million being infected and 1.85M mortality. Africa’s first reported case occurred in Egypt on 14th February 2020 and the sub-Saharan Africa first index case was confirmed in Nigeria on 27th February 2020. A total 2.8 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported from 55 African countries and about 68 thousand deaths recorded. Community transmission remains the major mode of spread in Africa. Countries in the region are implementing variable measures to mitigate the spread depending on their capabilities. After extensive literature searches via Google scholar, Biomedical Central and PubMed databases. We reviewed the responses of some African countries toward COVID-19 pandemic and the need for unwavering governments’ commitment at improving on the stretched healthcare facilities and services in Africa to mitigate the spread of the disease.

Keywords: COVID-19; Pandemic; Sub-Sahara Africa; Dreadful guest

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