Kenya among top countries with Covid-19 cases and deaths in Africa

Kenya is among the top ten countries that account for 88 per cent (546,678) of all reported Covid-19 cases in the African Region.

Others include South Africa which has registered more than half, 62 per cent (381 798) of all reported confirmed cases in the region, Nigeria, Ghana, Algeria, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Senegal and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

According to the Situation report of the African region from the World Health Organization of July 21, the cumulative number of cases within the region has surpassed 600,000 with countries now recording higher numbers of Covid-19 cases.

However, out of the 600,000 plus cases, 57 per cent which is 351, 560 have so far recovered across the 47 countries in the region.

South Africa remains the epicenter of the disease and is now ranked fifth in the world.

Of concern, from 15 to 21 July, there has been an increase in Covid-19 related deaths registered in 44 countries making the case fatality ratio of 1.6 per cent.

However, despite the growing numbers, two countries Eritrea and Seychelles, are yet to record a single Covid-19 related death.

Majority of the reported death cases stem from South Africa 5 368, Algeria 1 100, Nigeria 805, Cameroon 382, Kenya 250, Democratic Republic of the Congo 195, Ethiopia 180, Senegal 174, Mauritania 155, Ghana 153 and Zambia 128.

Kenya falls into the top five category of countries with the highest total deaths reported. Other countries include South Africa, Nigeria, Algeria, and Cameroon.

Health workers remain a link that is exposed during this pandemic with 11, 448 having been infected with the virus in 40 countries.

“Overall, South Africa has been the most affected, with 4 821 health workers infected, followed by Ghana 2 065, Nigeria 987, Cameroon 593, Guinea-Bissau 250, Senegal 246, Guinea 244, Malawi 245, Côte d’Ivoire 187, Niger 184, Sierra Leone 167, Liberia 163 and Mozambique 159,” highlights the report.

In Kenya, community transmission has taken over with about 80 per cent of the recorded cases being asymptomatic.

Across the region, the same trend seems to be recorded bearing in mind majority of the countries have put in measures to combat the spread of the disease.

“Currently, 33 countries in the region are experiencing community transmission, 10 have clusters of cases and four have sporadic cases of Covid-19. The region has also observed increased incidences of imported cases from affected countries within the region, largely fueled by long-distance truck drivers and illicit movement through porous borders,” adds the report.

On Thursday, Kenya recorded the highest number of new Covid-19 infections in 24 hours at 796 bringing the total number of coronavirus cases to 15, 601.

According to the Health Chief Administrative Secretary Mercy Mwangangi, 378 patients have recovered, bringing the total number of recoveries to 7,135.

Three more people died from Covid-19 bringing the total number of deaths in Kenya to 263.