Sub-Saharan Africa: COVID-19 transmission continues across the region through March /update 26

Event

Several countries and territories in Sub-Saharan Africa continue to report COVID-19 transmission. According to data through March 23 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:

• Mauritius: 826 cases*

Community transmission:

• South Africa: 1,538,961 cases

• Ethiopia: 190,594 cases*

• Nigeria: 162,082 cases

• Kenya: 123,167 cases*

• Ghana: 89,893 cases

• Zambia: 86,779 cases

• Mozambique: 66,496 cases

• Cote d'Ivoire: 40,868 cases*

• Uganda: 40,719 cases

• Cameroon: 40,622 cases

• Namibia: 42,771 cases*

• Senegal: 37,958 cases*

• Botswana: 37,559 cases*

• Zimbabwe: 36,717 cases

• Malawi: 33,323 cases

• Sudan: 31,147 cases

• The Democratic Republic of the Congo: 27,580 cases

• Madagascar: 22,682 cases*

• Angola: 21,774 cases*

• Rwanda: 20,975 cases*

• Mayotte: 19,224 cases*

• Mauritania: 17,658 cases

• Eswatini: 17,296 cases

• Guinea: 19,084 cases*

• Gabon: 18,078 cases*

• Cape Verde: 16,555 cases

• Reunion: 15,561 cases

• Burkina Faso: 12,572 cases

• Lesotho: 10,685 cases

• Somalia: 10,369 cases*

• South Sudan: 9,919 cases

• Republic of Congo: 9,564 cases

• Mali: 9,474 cases*

• Togo: 9,147 cases*

• Benin: 6,818 cases

• Djibouti: 6,771 cases*

• Equatorial Guinea: 6,780 cases*

• Gambia: 5,255 cases

• Central African Republic: 5,087 cases

• Niger: 4,939 cases

• Chad: 4,440 cases

• Sierra Leone: 3,949 cases

• Seychelles: 3,828 cases*

• Comoros: 3,681 cases

• Guinea-Bissau: 3,586 cases*

• Eritrea: 3,163 cases

• Burundi: 2,628 cases*

• Sao Tome and Principe: 2,159 cases

• Liberia: 2,042 cases

*As of March 23, active cases in the country are increasing.

Context

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