COVID-19 Deaths In Africa Estimated To Fall By 94% In 2022

The WHO has said Covid-19 death rates in Africa are expected to fall by up to 94% in 2022, due to increased vaccination, improved pandemic response and natural immunity from prior infections.

The recent Covid-19 analysis by the health body showed that estimated deaths in Africa could shrink to around 60 this year, from last year’s average of 970 people daily.

WHO Regional Director for Africa Matshidiso Moeti also said new data on Covid-19 mortality and infection rates in Africa showed that the continent had reported over 11.8 million confirmed COVID-19 cases and more than 250,000 deaths since the pandemic began.

Moeti also shared that the soon-to-be-released report discusses the covid-19 dynamics where richer countries record double the mortality rates of poorer ones in Africa, partly due to co-morbidities that increase the risk of death.

According to the report, around 23,000 deaths are expected this year, provided current variants and transmission patterns remain the same.

While this is good news, the WHO has warned that there is more to be done, especially with the daily threats of new virus variants emerging.

Patsy Nwogu

Reporting on data-driven featured stories and investigations.

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