Panafrican News Agency

AU urges tightening of public health measures as economies reopen

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (PANA) - The African Union Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has called for the tightening of measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus pandemic with the reopening of borders and travels.

Africa CDC Director, John Nkengasong, said on Thursday a wholesome approach to fighting the pandemic, including intensified testing, contact tracing and wearing of masks, would be required as well as preparations for the acquisition of vaccines when they become available.

"We have to intensify the public health measures to stop the surge as a result of the economic reopening," Nkengasong told journalists during a virtual news conference on the status of the pandemic fight in Africa.

The 55 countries, all members of the African Union, have all reported 1.2 million cases of the virus since its global outbreak. The Africa CDC has been working with the rest of the countries in the continent to fight the pandemic which has so far killed 28,000 people across the continent, according to the AU.

In its latest report, the Africa CDC showed that the continent recorded 58,000 new infections throughout the week, 17% decrease in new cases compared to the previous weekly figure.

The Central African region showed the biggest regional slowdown in new infections with a 37% drop in new cases, and the West Africa region reported a 16% decrease in new cases while the North Africa region reported a 6.6% decrease in new cases.

The East African region, however, reported a 16% rise in new cases, the Africa CDC Director told reporters.

Some 27 countries are reporting stable numbers, without any major increments in cases or drops.

However, South Africa, Cape Verge, Djibouti and Gabon are still reporting increase in cases.

At least 11.4 million coronavirus tests have been carried out with 9.45% of those testing for the virus confirmed to have caught it.

The AU set a target for at least 10 million tests when it launched the Partnership for Accelerated Coronavirus Tracing, Testing and Treatment.

Nkengasong said the AU set a new target of 20 million tests by November after surpassing the target of 10 million tests. Meanwhile, the AU has affirmed it is currently working with the Global Alliance for Vaccines (GAVI) to secure an affordable vaccine for the coronavirus pandemic.

Nkengason said last week, the AU Commission presented a vaccine development strategy to the Bureau of the African Union heads of State and Government meeting.

"The ability to procure the vaccine once its available is important to Afric. The strategy includes procurement and delivery framework. The whole of Africa approach to the coronavirus vaccine is to make sure 60% of the population will be be vaccinated to develop herd immunity," Nkengasong said.

He said the AU Bureau of Heads of State also launched the campaign "launch Africa Against COVID-19".

The campaign aims to encourage countries to reopen borders to trade and travel as well as tourism.

"We expect a resurgence of cases as countries ease lockdown. We will ensure the contact tracing and the whole of community approach to fighting the pandemic," Nkengasong said.

-0- PANA AO/VAO 27Aug2020