WHO predicts 94 per cent decreasein COVID-19 deaths in Africa

WORLD Health Organisation (WHO) has predicted a 94 per cent decrease in COVID-19 deaths in Africa  in 2022 compared to year,  2021.

  The WHO Regional Director for Africa, Matshidiso Moeti who disclosed this   at a virtual press conference, said that despite the new WHO modelling projection compared with 2021 – the pandemic’s most lethal – actual cases are estimated to drop by a little over a quarter in 2022.

  “The low number of deaths expected this year is a huge achievement for the region and a testament to the efforts of countries and partners, that’s down from a catastrophically high average of 970 fatalities each day in 2021 to around 60 a day by the end of 2022.

  “However, the job is not yet done. Every time we sit back and relax, COVID-19 flares up again. The threat of new variants remains real, and we need to be ready to cope with this ever-present danger,” Moeti cautioned.

  The decline in cases and deaths in 2022 is due to increasing vaccinations, improved pandemic responses and natural immunity from previous infections that, while not preventing re-infections, stop severe forms of the disease leading to death.

  “The significant increase in 2021 was due to the more infectious and severe Delta variant. We have learnt many lessons on how to stay a step ahead of the virus. Now is the time to refine our response and identify populations most at-risk of COVID-19.

  “Countries must intensify efforts to conduct a targeted response that provides the most vulnerable people with the health services they need, including COVID-19 vaccines and effective treatment,” Moeti said.