The COVID-19 pandemic in the African continent

Abstract In December 2019, a new coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) and associated disease, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), was identified in China. This virus spread quickly and in March, 2020, it was declared a pandemic. Scientists predicted the worst sc...

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Main Authors: Godfrey Bwire, Alex Riolexus Ario, Patricia Eyu, Felix Ocom, Joseph F. Wamala, Kwadwo A. Kusi, Latif Ndeketa, Kondwani C. Jambo, Rhoda K. Wanyenze, Ambrose O. Talisuna
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2022-05-01
Series:BMC Medicine
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12916-022-02367-4
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author Godfrey Bwire
Alex Riolexus Ario
Patricia Eyu
Felix Ocom
Joseph F. Wamala
Kwadwo A. Kusi
Latif Ndeketa
Kondwani C. Jambo
Rhoda K. Wanyenze
Ambrose O. Talisuna
author_facet Godfrey Bwire
Alex Riolexus Ario
Patricia Eyu
Felix Ocom
Joseph F. Wamala
Kwadwo A. Kusi
Latif Ndeketa
Kondwani C. Jambo
Rhoda K. Wanyenze
Ambrose O. Talisuna
author_sort Godfrey Bwire
collection DOAJ
description Abstract In December 2019, a new coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) and associated disease, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), was identified in China. This virus spread quickly and in March, 2020, it was declared a pandemic. Scientists predicted the worst scenario to occur in Africa since it was the least developed of the continents in terms of human development index, lagged behind others in achievement of the United Nations sustainable development goals (SDGs), has inadequate resources for provision of social services, and has many fragile states. In addition, there were relatively few research reporting findings on COVID-19 in Africa. On the contrary, the more developed countries reported higher disease incidences and mortality rates. However, for Africa, the earlier predictions and modelling into COVID-19 incidence and mortality did not fit into the reality. Therefore, the main objective of this forum is to bring together infectious diseases and public health experts to give an overview of COVID-19 in Africa and share their thoughts and opinions on why Africa behaved the way it did. Furthermore, the experts highlight what needs to be done to support Africa to consolidate the status quo and overcome the negative effects of COVID-19 so as to accelerate attainment of the SDGs.
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spelling doaj.art-5b49590358d342d8bf0990414071b7402022-12-22T00:43:12ZengBMCBMC Medicine1741-70152022-05-0120112310.1186/s12916-022-02367-4The COVID-19 pandemic in the African continentGodfrey Bwire0Alex Riolexus Ario1Patricia Eyu2Felix Ocom3Joseph F. Wamala4Kwadwo A. Kusi5Latif Ndeketa6Kondwani C. Jambo7Rhoda K. Wanyenze8Ambrose O. Talisuna9Department of Integrated Epidemiology Surveillance and Public Health Emergencies, Ministry of HealthUganda National Institute of Public HealthUganda National Institute of Public HealthUganda National Institute of Public HealthWorld Health Organization (WHO)Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of GhanaMalawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Programme (MLW)Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Programme (MLW)School of Public Health, Makerere UniversityEpidemic Preparedness and Response Cluster, World Health Organization, Regional Office for AfricaAbstract In December 2019, a new coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) and associated disease, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), was identified in China. This virus spread quickly and in March, 2020, it was declared a pandemic. Scientists predicted the worst scenario to occur in Africa since it was the least developed of the continents in terms of human development index, lagged behind others in achievement of the United Nations sustainable development goals (SDGs), has inadequate resources for provision of social services, and has many fragile states. In addition, there were relatively few research reporting findings on COVID-19 in Africa. On the contrary, the more developed countries reported higher disease incidences and mortality rates. However, for Africa, the earlier predictions and modelling into COVID-19 incidence and mortality did not fit into the reality. Therefore, the main objective of this forum is to bring together infectious diseases and public health experts to give an overview of COVID-19 in Africa and share their thoughts and opinions on why Africa behaved the way it did. Furthermore, the experts highlight what needs to be done to support Africa to consolidate the status quo and overcome the negative effects of COVID-19 so as to accelerate attainment of the SDGs.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12916-022-02367-4COVIDAfricaPandemicInfectious diseaseHealthEpidemiology
spellingShingle Godfrey Bwire
Alex Riolexus Ario
Patricia Eyu
Felix Ocom
Joseph F. Wamala
Kwadwo A. Kusi
Latif Ndeketa
Kondwani C. Jambo
Rhoda K. Wanyenze
Ambrose O. Talisuna
The COVID-19 pandemic in the African continent
BMC Medicine
COVID
Africa
Pandemic
Infectious disease
Health
Epidemiology
title The COVID-19 pandemic in the African continent
title_full The COVID-19 pandemic in the African continent
title_fullStr The COVID-19 pandemic in the African continent
title_full_unstemmed The COVID-19 pandemic in the African continent
title_short The COVID-19 pandemic in the African continent
title_sort covid 19 pandemic in the african continent
topic COVID
Africa
Pandemic
Infectious disease
Health
Epidemiology
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12916-022-02367-4
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