What India’s second COVID-19 wave may mean for countries in Africa
(NEW YORK) As India, the second-most populous country in the world, grapples with a devastating second wave of COVID-19 infections that has pushed its health system to the brink of collapse, officials in Africa, the world’s second-largest continent, are on high alert.
“What’s happening in India must not happen here,” Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, the World Health Organization’s regional director for Africa, said at a virtual press briefing last Thursday. “If we prepare now, we will not pay the price later.”
The more than 414,000 newly confirmed cases of COVID-19 recorded in India last Thursday was the highest single-day count by any nation during the pandemic. But the alarming spike is a relatively new phenomenon there. Until late February, India was considered a success story, with experts surmising that declining infections might be due to the South Asian country’s warm climate, young inhabitants and
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US-based billionaire, Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, who was born and trained in South Africa, will spend R3 billion to transfer technology to allow vaccine production in South Africa.
He told a World Health Organisation meeting that he is convinced that South Africa has the science, human capital and the desire to produce vaccines.
Soon-Shiong s company ImmunityBio is conducting its own vaccine trials in SA and the US, and has signed a deal with local vaccine maker BioVac.
South African-born pharmaceutical billionaire, Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, has committed R3 billion to help South Africa produce vaccines against Covid-19 and other illnesses.
South Africa not yet in a third wave, says health department
13 May 2021
President Cyril Ramaphosa speaks during his oversight visit to the Aspen Pharmacare sterile manufacturing facility on March 29, 2021 in Gqeberha. (Photo by Lulama Zenzile/Die Burger/Gallo Images via Getty Images)
Despite a department of health seven-day average finding that South Africa had recorded a 46% increase in Covid-19 infections in all provinces, the country is not yet in a third wave.
In a statement released by the department on Wednesday, the daily surveillance system reported an increase in positive cases from 8 593 to 12 531 between 3 to 9 May.
At 68%, the Northern Cape has shown the highest increase, followed by Gauteng at 63%. Nationwide, 24 healthcare workers tested positive for the virus.
By Morgan Winsor and Erin Schumaker, ABC News
May 12, 2021 | 7:00 AM
narvikk/iStock
(NEW YORK) As India, the second-most populous country in the world, grapples with a devastating second wave of COVID-19 infections that has pushed its health system to the brink of collapse, officials in Africa, the world’s second-largest continent, are on high alert.
“What’s happening in India must not happen here,” Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, the World Health Organization’s regional director for Africa, said at a virtual press briefing last Thursday. “If we prepare now, we will not pay the price later.”
The more than 414,000 newly confirmed cases of COVID-19 recorded in India last Thursday was the highest single-day count by any nation during the pandemic. But the alarming spike is a relatively new phenomenon there. Until late February, India was considered a success story, with experts surmising that declining infections might be due to the South Asian country’s warm climat
What India s 2nd COVID-19 wave may mean for countries in Africa
• 25 min read
Grim images from India’s COVID-19 crisis
Authorities are investigating a video obtained by ABC News that showed an ICU in India where 11 people died after a truck delivering oxygen was 10 minutes late. Guerchom Ndebo/Getty Images
As India, the second-most populous country in the world, grapples with a devastating second wave of COVID-19 infections that has pushed its health system to the brink of collapse, officials in Africa, the world s second-largest continent, are on high alert. What’s happening in India must not happen here, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, the World Health Organization s regional director for Africa, said at a virtual press briefing last Thursday. If we prepare now, we will not pay the price later.