Africa’s coronavirus case load crossed 700,000 infections, on Monday. More than half of the cases have been recorded in South Africa.

According to Africa News, on Friday, the WHO reported a 27% increase in the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 on the continent. The organization’s Africa situation report indicated that just 10 countries on the continent account for 88% of all reported coronavirus infections in the African Region. These include: South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, Algeria, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, Senegal, Ethiopia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

WHO Regional Director for Africa, Matshidiso Moeti said that sub-Saharan Africa hosts more than 26% of the world’s refugees. There are also 19 million internally displaced people on the continent. She encouraged all countries do more to help these vulnerable populations during the COVID-19 crisis.

The true number of cases in Africa is, however, unknown. Africa News reports that there is a serious shortage of testing materials. Most testing has been concentrated in cities, while infections have spread beyond them.

Umm Muhammed Umar