Sub-Saharan Africa: COVID-19 transmission continues across the region as of Jan. 21 /update 23

Event

Several countries and territories in Sub-Saharan Africa continue to report coronavirus disease (COVID-19) transmission. According to data through Jan. 20 from the WHO, the following countries and territories in the region have identified confirmed COVID-19 cases:

Pending transmission status:

• Tanzania: 509 cases

Sporadic cases:

• Eritrea: 1,877 cases

• Mauritius: 556 cases

Clusters of cases:

• Reunion: 9,552 cases

• Mayotte: 6,918 cases*

• Djibouti: 5,910 cases

• Seychelles: 762 cases*

Community transmission:

• South Africa: 1,356,716 cases

• Ethiopia: 131,727 cases

• Nigeria: 113,305 cases*

• Kenya: 99,308 cases

• Ghana: 58,431 cases*

• Zambia: 39,515 cases

• Uganda: 38,534 cases*

• Namibia: 30,995 cases

• Zimbabwe: 28,675 cases

• Mozambique: 28,270 cases*

• Cameroon: 28,010 cases

• Sudan: 27,494 cases*

• Cote d'Ivoire: 25,383 cases

• Senegal: 23,392 cases*

• The Democratic Republic of the Congo: 21,139 cases*

• Angola: 19,011 cases

• Botswana: 18,630 cases*

• Madagascar: 18,301 cases*

• Mauritania: 16,039 cases

• Guinea: 14,172 cases*

• Malawi: 13,880 cases*

• Eswatini: 13,443 cases*

• Cape Verde: 13,139 cases*

• Rwanda: 11,548 cases*

• Gabon: 10,019 cases*

• Burkina Faso: 9,352 cases

• Mali: 7,880 cases

• Republic of Congo: 7,709 cases*

• Lesotho: 7,018 cases*

• Equatorial Guinea: 5,365 cases*

• Central African Republic: 4,974 cases

• Somalia: 4,744 cases

• Togo: 4,383 cases*

• Niger: 4,225 cases

• Gambia: 3,938 cases*

• South Sudan: 3,762 cases

• Benin: 3,582 cases*

• Sierra Leone: 3,030 cases

• Chad: 2,977 cases*

• Guinea-Bissau: 2,510 cases*

• Liberia: 1,898 cases

• Comoros: 1,864 cases*

• Burundi: 1,322 cases*

• Sao Tome and Principe: 1,151 cases

*As of Jan. 21, 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