Sub-Saharan Africa: COVID-19 transmission continues across the region as of Dec. 29 /update 22

Event

Several countries and territories in Sub-Saharan Africa continue to report coronavirus disease (COVID-19) transmission. According to data through Dec. 29 from the WHO, the following countries and territories in the region have identified confirmed COVID-19 cases:

Sporadic cases:

• Somalia: 4,690 cases

• Eritrea: 1,039 cases*

• Seychelles: 211 cases

Clusters of cases:

• Reunion: 8,909 cases

• Rwanda: 7,970 cases*

• Djibouti: 5,813 cases

• Mayotte: 5,767 cases*

• Mauritius: 524 cases

Community transmission:

• South Africa: 1,004,413 cases*

• Ethiopia: 122,413 cases

• Kenya: 95,843 cases

• Nigeria: 84,414 cases*

• Ghana: 54,401 cases

• Uganda: 33,811 cases*

• Cameroon: 26,277 cases

• Sudan: 23,316 cases

• Cote d'Ivoire: 22,152 cases

• Namibia: 21,923 cases*

• Zambia: 19,671 cases*

• Senegal: 18,609 cases*

• Mozambique: 18,265 cases*

• Madagascar: 17,714 cases

• Angola: 17,240 cases

• The Democratic Republic of the Congo: 16,280 cases*

• Guinea: 13,674 cases

• Botswana: 13,622 cases

• Zimbabwe: 12,963 cases*

• Cape Verde: 11,714 cases

• Mauritania: 10,971 cases

• Gabon: 9,497 cases

• Eswatini: 8,484 cases*

• Mali: 6,629 cases

• Malawi: 6,354 cases*

• Burkina Faso: 6,344 cases

• Republic of Congo: 6,200 cases

• Equatorial Guinea: 5,248 cases

• Central African Republic: 4,948 cases*

• Gambia: 3,792 cases

• Togo: 3,555 cases

• South Sudan: 3,308 cases*

• Benin: 3,205 cases

• Niger: 3,005 cases*

• Lesotho: 2,577 cases*

• Sierra Leone: 2,549 cases*

• Guinea-Bissau: 2,447 cases

• Chad: 1,986 cases*

• Liberia: 1,800 cases*

• Sao Tome and Principe: 1,014 cases

• Burundi: 804 cases*

• Comoros: 715 cases*

• Tanzania: 509 cases

*As of Dec. 29, active cases in the country are increasing.

Additional cases may be added to this list at any time as disease surveillance and testing continues.

Context

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a viral respiratory disease caused by infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Human-to-human transmission does occur, primarily through respiratory droplets from infected individuals or contact with contaminated surfaces or objects. Symptoms occur 1-14 days following exposure (average of 3-7 days). These symptoms typically include fever, fatigue, and dry cough; less common symptoms include headache, diarrhea, loss of taste or smell, reddening of the eyes, skin rash, or discoloration of the fingers or toes. Symptoms may worsen to difficulty breathing, pneumonia, and organ failure - especially in those with underlying, chronic medical conditions. Some infected individuals display no symptoms.

Older individuals and people of any age with chronic medical conditions or compromised immunity should consider postponing nonessential travel, including domestic travel, and take special precautions to avoid becoming ill, especially where sustained community transmission of COVID-19 is ongoing. All individuals should monitor their health and limit interactions with others for 14 days after returning from travel.

Advice

Emphasize basic health precautions, especially frequent handwashing with soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are unavailable. Practice good coughing/sneezing etiquette (i.e., covering coughs and sneezes with a disposable tissue, maintaining distance from others, and washing hands). There is no evidence that the influenza vaccine, antibiotics, or antiviral medications will prevent this disease, highlighting the importance of diligent basic health precautions.

Resources

WHO coronavirus knowledge base
WHO: Public health considerations while resuming international travel
US CDC: Guidance for Businesses and Workplaces
US CDC: Preventing COVID-19 Spread in Communities
Mental Health Considerations during COVID-19 Outbreak
US CDC: Manage Anxiety and Stress