Sub-Saharan Africa: COVID-19 transmission continues across the region through early February /update 24

Event

Several countries and territories in Sub-Saharan Africa continue to report coronavirus disease (COVID-19) transmission. According to data through Feb. 10 from the WHO, the following countries and territories in the region have identified confirmed COVID-19 cases:

Pending transmission status:

• Tanzania: 509 cases

Clusters of cases:

• Mayotte: 11,783 cases*

• Reunion: 10,907 cases*

• Djibouti: 5,962 cases

• Mauritius: 595 cases*

Community transmission:

• South Africa: 1,482,412 cases

• Ethiopia: 144,249 cases*

• Nigeria: 142,578 cases*

• Kenya: 102,221 cases

• Ghana: 73,003 cases*

• Zambia: 65,573 cases

• Uganda: 39,911 cases

• Namibia: 35,242 cases

• Mozambique: 46,736 cases*

• Zimbabwe: 34,864 cases

• Cameroon: 31,394 cases

• Sudan: 27,820 cases

• Cote d'Ivoire: 30,240 cases

• Senegal: 29,914 cases*

• Malawi: 28,050 cases

• The Democratic Republic of the Congo: 23,890 cases*

• Botswana: 24,435 cases

• Angola: 20,210 cases

• Madagascar: 19,360 cases

• Rwanda: 16,941 cases

• Mauritania: 16,902 cases

• Eswatini: 16,341 cases

• Guinea: 14,791 cases*

• Cape Verde: 14,543 cases

• Gabon: 12,171 cases*

• Burkina Faso: 11,426 cases

• Lesotho: 9,804 cases*

• Republic of Congo: 8,354 cases*

• Mali: 8,203 cases

• Equatorial Guinea: 5,658 cases

• Togo: 5,606 cases*

• Central African Republic: 4,989 cases

• South Sudan: 4,960 cases

• Somalia: 4,935 cases

• Niger: 4,656 cases

• Benin: 4,560 cases*

• Gambia: 4,302 cases*

• Sierra Leone: 3,803 cases

• Chad: 3,568 cases

• Comoros: 3,209 cases

• Guinea-Bissau: 2,826 cases*

• Eritrea: 2,418 cases*

• Liberia: 1,956 cases

• Seychelles: 1,768 cases*

• Burundi: 1,751 cases*

• Sao Tome and Principe: 1,430 cases

*As of Feb. 9, 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
New England Journal of Medicine: COVID Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions