Sub-Saharan Africa: COVID-19 transmission continues across Sub-Saharan Africa through November 2020. /update 21

Event

Several countries and territories in Sub-Saharan Africa continue to report coronavirus disease (COVID-19) transmission. According to data through Nov. 18 from the WHO, the following countries and territories in Sub-Saharan Africa have identified confirmed COVID-19 cases:

Sporadic cases:

• Somalia: 4,382 cases

• Eritrea: 518 cases

• Mauritius: 491 cases

• Seychelles: 160 cases

Clusters of cases:

• Reunion: 7,161 cases

• Djibouti: 5,656 cases

• Rwanda: 5,507 cases*

• Mayotte: 4,943 cases*

Community transmission:

• South Africa: 754,256 cases

• Ethiopia: 103,395 cases

• Kenya: 71,729 cases*

• Nigeria: 65,457 cases

• Ghana: 50,457 cases

• Cameroon: 22,896 cases

• Cote d'Ivoire: 21,004 cases

• Madagascar: 17,310 cases

• Zambia: 17,243 cases

• Uganda: 16,563 cases*

• Senegal: 15,806 cases

• Sudan: 15,047 cases

• Mozambique: 14,566 cases

• Angola: 13,818 cases*

• Namibia: 13,566 cases

• Guinea: 12,654 cases

• The Democratic Republic of the Congo: 11,866 cases

• Cape Verde: 9,960 cases

• Botswana: 9,103 cases

• Gabon: 9,084 cases

• Zimbabwe: 8,945 cases*

• Mauritania: 7,994 cases

• Eswatini: 6,124 cases

• Malawi: 5,971 cases

• Republic of Congo: 5,515 cases*

• Equatorial Guinea: 5,121 cases

• Central African Republic: 4,900 cases

• Mali: 3,980 cases*

• Gambia: 3,705 cases

• South Sudan: 3,016 cases*

• Benin: 2,884 cases

• Togo: 2,722 cases

• Burkina Faso: 2,652 cases

• Guinea-Bissau: 2,419 cases

• Sierra Leone: 2,392 cases

• Lesotho: 2,052 cases

• Chad: 1,608 cases

• Liberia: 1,512 cases*

• Niger: 1,327 cases*

• Sao Tome and Principe: 967 cases

• Burundi: 631 cases*

• Comoros: 591 cases

• Tanzania: 509 cases

*As of Nov. 18, active cases in the country are increasing.

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