Coronavirus spreading like wildfire in Africa, test kits needed: WHO

Coronavirus pandemic is spreading like a wildfire in the African continent where it arrived because of travellers, but the severe cases and deaths are not being missed, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Thursday.

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During a Geneva briefing, Matshidiso Moeti, WHO's Africa regional director said that the continent has about 200,000 cases and around ten countries account for 75 per cent of these cases. Africa has witnessed 5,000 deaths. South Africa accounts for a quarter of cases. 

"We believe that large numbers of severe cases and deaths are not being missed in Africa," she said. "One of the biggest challenges in Africa continues to be the availability of supplies, particularly test kits."

Coronavirus has infected over 7.2  million people globally, as per data from the Johns Hopkins University.

The World Health Organization warned against coronavirus worsening. “Although the situation in Europe is improving, globally it is worsening,” it said while adding that “asymptomatic patients” may not be a real cause of concern, then later backtracking on it.

(Inputs from Reuters)