AFRICA – African Union Member States have so far recorded COVID-19 5,066,568 cases, 135,195 deaths and 4,536,503 recoveries according to data published by Africa CDC.
Africa’s southern region continues to be adversely affected by the pandemic. The region has reported 2,208,078 cases and 66,691 deaths. South Africa contributes the largest percentage of all these having recorded 1,752,630 cases and 57,879 deaths.
The country recorded 157 in-hospital deaths recorded in the past 24 hours with 8,436 new COVID-19 cases. Following this, the south African government has put the country under level three of lockdown.
Under the adjusted level three, restaurants, fitness centers and other establishments will close at 9:00 p.m., with curfew being imposed from 10:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m. Indoor gatherings will be limited to 50 people and outside to 100 people.
As alcohol played a big role in driving the second wave, the president said retail outlets would sell alcohol for off-site consumption between 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. from Monday to Thursday. Citizens wouldn’t be permitted to consume alcohol in public spaces such as beaches and parks.
“The average number of people who die from COVID-19 each day has increased by 48 percent from 535 two weeks ago to 791 in the past seven days. The massive surge in new infections means that we must once again tighten restrictions on the movement of persons and gathering,” President Cyril Ramaphosa said.
Other countries in the southern region have reported cases as follows; Angola (36,600; 825; 30,207), Botswana (64,021; 926; 56,798), Eswatini (18,746; 676; 17,952), Lesotho (10,923; 326; 6,440), Malawi (34,564; 1,159; 32,753), Mozambique (71,568; 841; 69,889), Namibia (65,815; 1,008; 55,187), Zambia (113,134; 1,416; 98,994), Zimbabwe (40,077; 1,635; 37,027).
The northern region follows closely with 1,512,166 cases, 45,832 deaths and a cumulative of 1,324,591 recoveries. Morocco is the most affected in the region, having recorded 523,999 cases and 9,213 deaths. The rest follow with, Algeria (133,742; 3,710; 93,151), Egypt (273,795; 15,654; 201,739), Libya (189,555; 3,166; 175,226), Mauritania (20,109; 476; 19,142), Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (742; 46; 692) and Tunisia (370,224; 13,567; 323,201).
Eastern region is third with 683,276 cases, 13,411 deaths and 567,965 recoveries. The nations have reported cases as indicated; Comoros (3,969; 146; 3,736), Djibouti (11,575; 154; 11,405), Eritrea (4,981; 16; 4,420), Ethiopia (274,346; 4,250; 251,107), Kenya (175,681; 3,421; 120,359), Madagascar (41,948; 885; 41,337), Mauritius (1,701; 18; 1,265), Rwanda (28,614; 372; 26,383), Seychelles (13,539; 46; 11,842), Somalia (14,817; 774; 7,043), South Sudan (10,753; 115; 10,514), Sudan (36,304; 2,732; 29,841), Tanzania** (509; 21; 178), Uganda (63,099; 434; 48,480).
Kenya had 344 people test positive for the disease in the last 24 hours, from a sample size of 3,654 tested. The positivity rate is now at 9.4%. Nairobi and Kisumu are leading with the highest number of infections.
In Kenya, 987,277 persons have so far received their first shot against the COVID-19 disease in the country. 298,334 are aged 58+, Health workers 168,056, Teachers 154,262, Security Officers 83,766 & 282,859 persons drawn from other categories have received their first dose.
A total of 128,744 have received their second dose. Of these, 37,918 are Health Workers, Others 33,926, those aged above 58 years 34,269, Teachers 13,673 while 8,958 Security Officers have also received their second dose.
Uganda has registered 25 deaths, the highest ever recorded in a day, bringing the total number to 459. Ministry of Health data on Tuesday said that by June 13 the country had recorded a total of 64,521 Covid-19 cases and 48,480 recoveries. Some 920 patients are admitted in hospitals across the country.
The positivity rate stands at 21.5 per cent. The country registered 71 deaths in one week, the ministry data shows
The Western region has reported 478,189 cases, 6,343 deaths and 460,261 recoveries. Nigeria (167,078; 2,117; 163,469), Ghana (94,493; 789; 92,589), Côte d’Ivoire (47,760; 306; 47,239) and Senegal (42,023; 1,154; 40,591) are the most affected.
Nigeria, which is expecting a second shipment of nearly 4 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines by early August, plans to resume giving out first doses, which had been halted to save its supply for second doses.
Central region statistics stand at 184,859 cases; 2,918 deaths and 168,032recoveries with Cameroon (80,090; 1,310; 77,305) and DRC (35,668; 846; 29,183) on the lead.
