News from the Africa Bureau

What has been the impact of Covid-19 on the African continent so far?

The Covid-19 pandemic is progressing in Africa. As of today, 18th June 2020, there are more than 250,000 cases and more than 7,000 deaths.
All 54 countries of the continent are affected. Eleven countries have reported more than 5,000 cases each. South Africa and Egypt have more than 50,000 cases each; Nigeria and Ghana each have more than 10,000 cases.

The epidemic is accelerating. The pandemic threatens essential health services due to the morbidity and mortality directly attributable to Covid-19, but also and above all because it weakens already vulnerable health systems. The economic and social burden of this pandemic on society as a whole is already perceptible and will be considerable as a result of the lockdown strategies put in place to respond to the epidemic.

The impact of this pandemic could also have a destabilising effect on States and thwart the socio-economic gains of the last thirty years. The consequences are likely to be disastrous for Africa in the absence of effective treatment, an available vaccine and, above all, an adequate response based on scientific knowledge.