More African countries report increased COVID-19 cases

The number of countries reporting surging cases of COVID-19 in Africa has been increasing over the last four weeks, a scenario that Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says is worrying on the backdrop of low vaccination rates in the continent.

During the week ending May 15, South Africa, Tanzania, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Burundi reported the highest number of new cases, with South Africa leading with 50, 404 new COVID-19 cases.

Compared to the week ending May 8, South Africa's new cases increased by 4,779, Namibia 676 and Zimbabwe by 342.

Across the continent, the number of new cases increased from 37,111 reported in the previous week to over 59,000, representing an 18 percent increase.

Data from Africa CDC indicated that South Africa, Eswatini and Namibia are reporting a test positivity rate higher than 12 percent.

Over the past four weeks, the continent reported a 36 percent average increase in the number of new cases.

The central African region reported a 113 percent rise, followed by the southern region with 54 percent, east African region with 40 percent and western Africa region 15 percent increase, Africa CDC data indicated.

The number of average new deaths across the continent also rose by 33 percent with South Africa reporting 80 percent average increase.

Dr Ahmed Ogwell, the acting director of Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said the current increase of COVID-19 infections across Africa is a clear sign that there is a possibility of a new variant or sub-lineage of variant that is more transmissible.

"We need to do more testing to understand where the outbreaks are. We need to continue doing more sequencing so that we can be able to identify what variant or sub-lineage are these that are causing increase in numbers," he said.

Ogwell said most of the African countries are not experiencing new waves currently but urged countries to vaccinate, increase surveillance and ensure they are testing adequately to quickly identify any new wave and respond immediately.

He noted that Africa's heads of state have expressed great concern on low purchase of COVID-19 vaccines from African manufacturers and low rate of vaccination on the continent.

"Everything is being done to make sure that vaccination rate is improved as well as increasing the uptake of vaccines that have been manufactured on the continent," he said.

Ogwell said for the purchase of COVID-19 vaccines from African manufacturers to be increased, it will require an open conversation with all partners and other institutions that are purchasing vaccines.

To date, Africa has vaccinated 17.3 percent of its population, which is still very low compared to the global figure of over 50 percent.

Data from the World Health Organization indicates that only 34 percent of healthcare workers in Africa have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Ogwell urged African countries to up their vaccination rollout to achieve the 70 percent target as well as get more people boosted.