Sub-Saharan Africa: COVID-19 transmission continues across the region in June /update 27

Event

Several countries and territories in Sub-Saharan Africa continue to report COVID-19 transmission. According to data through June 1 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:

• Sudan: 35,512 cases

• Mauritius: 1,411 cases*

Community transmission:

• South Africa: 1,665,617 cases*

• Ethiopia: 271,541 cases

• Kenya: 170,735 cases*

• Nigeria: 166,518 cases*

• Zambia: 95,263 cases*

• Ghana: 93,898 cases

• Cameroon: 78,929 cases

• Mozambique: 70,795 cases

• Botswana: 57,516 cases*

• Namibia: 55,549 cases*

• Cote d'Ivoire: 47,292 cases

• Uganda: 47,147 cases*

• Senegal: 41,416 cases

• Madagascar: 41,342 cases

• Zimbabwe: 38,961 cases

• Angola: 34,551 cases*

• Malawi: 34,338 cases

• Democratic Republic of the Congo: 31,651 cases*

• Cape Verde: 30,439 cases

• Rwanda: 26,963 cases

• Reunion: 24,901 cases*

• Gabon: 24,429 cases

• Guinea: 23,177 cases

• Mauritania: 19,494 cases*

• Mayotte: 19,325 cases*

• Eswatini: 18,595 cases*

• Somalia: 14,662 cases

• Mali: 14,265 cases

• Togo: 13,457 cases

• Burkina Faso: 13,434 cases

• Republic of Congo: 11,658 cases

• Seychelles: 11,612 cases

• Djibouti: 11,533 cases

• Lesotho: 10,831 cases*

• South Sudan: 10,688 cases

• Equatorial Guinea: 8,529 cases*

• Benin: 8,058 cases*

• Central African Republic: 7,085 cases

• Gambia: 5,993 cases

• Niger: 5,410 cases

• Chad: 4,929 cases

• Sierra Leone: 4,147 cases*

• Burundi: 4,803 cases*

• Eritrea: 4,094 cases*

• Comoros: 3,952 cases

• Guinea-Bissau: 3,766 cases

• Sao Tome and Principe: 2,345 cases

• Liberia: 2,191 cases*

*As of June 1, active cases in the country are increasing.

Context

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

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a viral respiratory disease caused by infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Human-to-human transmission occurs 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. Multiple variants of COVID-19 have been identified globally, some of which spread more easily between people. COVID-19 vaccines are being distributed to frontline workers and the elderly in some countries, while other vaccines are in varying stages of development and clinical trials; more data is required to determine the efficacy of vaccines against COVID-19 variants.

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 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