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Africa CDC encouraged by SA’s fight against Omicron variant

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The Africa Centre for Disease Control says five countries on the continent are already battling the fifth wave of surging COVID-19 infections while 42 are experiencing the fourth wave.

The five countries are Algeria, Congo, Brazzaville, Kenya, Mauritius, and Somalia.

The weekly briefing also shared that South Africa still accounts for the highest ratio of cases sitting with 35% of the 9.8 million cases reported on the continent.

The Director, Dr. John Nkengasong has however, praised South Africa’s approach in tackling the Omicron variant. He says as much as the country has seen a sharp increase, there are signs that the cases are on the decline.

“In terms of the trends in South Africa, we are seeing infections of COVID-19 due to Omicron increase very rapidly but also decrease very quickly. So, I think that is a very good sign to the extent that South Africa did not even need to go into a lockdown during this wave.”

The latest coronavirus statistics in South Africa:

 

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He says the vaccination rate has to be boosted in the continent. Only 10% of the continent’s population is vaccinated.

Nkengasong says booster shots can be administered to those who are fully vaccinated.

“The definition of a booster (in this case) is someone who has received both doses and within the appropriate interval is illegible to receive the third dose.”

He says over the last week, there has been a 5% increase in reported cases in Africa.

The Africa Centre for Disease Control briefing on the status of the fight against coronavirus in Africa:

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