Africa steps up Omicron variant detection as COVID-19 cases rise in southern Africa

In Africa, the Omicron variant has now been detected in four countries, with Ghana and Nigeria becoming the first West African countries and the latest on the continent to report the new variant

African countries are stepping up measures to detect and control the spread of the Omicron variant as weekly new COVID-19 cases in the continent rise by 54% due to an upsurge in southern Africa. In Africa, the Omicron variant has now been detected in four countries, with Ghana and Nigeria…

Video News Release: WHO Africa COVID-19 online press briefing

WHO Stands with African Nations and Calls for Borders to Remain Open

Travel restrictions may play a role in slightly reducing the spread of COVID-19 but place a heavy burden on lives and livelihoods

As a growing number of countries impose flight bans on southern African nations due to concerns over the new Omicron variant, World Health Organization (WHO) urges countries to follow science and the International Health Regulations (2005). Travel restrictions may play a role in slightly reducing the spread of COVID-19 but…

Only 1 in 4 African health workers fully vaccinated against COVID-19

The majority of Africa’s health workers are still missing out on vaccines and remain dangerously exposed to severe COVID-19 infection

Only 27% of health workers in Africa have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, leaving the bulk of the workforce on the frontlines against the pandemic unprotected, a preliminary analysis by World Health Organization (WHO) shows. Analysis of data reported from 25 countries finds that since March 2021, 1.3 million health…

Video News Release: WHO Africa COVID-19 online press briefing

Germany Donates 924 000 Surgical Face Masks to WHO for the Support to Ministry of Health COVID-19 Response Work in Zambia

The kind support from the Government of Germany comes at a time when Zambia is anticipating the fourth wave of COVID-19 infections

On 10 November 2021, H.E. Anne Wagner-Mitchell, the German Ambassador to Zambia and Dr Nathan Bakyaita, WHO Representative to Zambia came together with Hon Sylvia Masebo, Minister of Health at the Ministry of Health for a handover ceremony of 924 000 surgical face masks. Over the past months, the Ministry…

COVID-19 More Deadly in Africans with Diabetes

A recent WHO analysis evaluated data from 13 countries on underlying conditions or comorbidities in Africans who tested positive for COVID-19

Africa’s sharp increase in diabetes is clashing with the COVID-19 pandemic and poor access to vaccines. Africa’s death rates from COVID-19 infections are significantly higher in patients with diabetes, according to a preliminary analysis which the World Health Organization (WHO) presented today in advance of the World Diabetes Day on…

Video News Release: WHO Africa Online Briefing

Coronavirus - Malawi: WHO emergency teams learning and supporting in Malawi

They are part of one of the first multidisciplinary teams of specialists being deployed by WHO’s Africa Regional Office to help about 15 countries that are struggling to achieve the 10% vaccine coverage target now

With Malawi’s top-level leadership fully committed to addressing bottlenecks that are hampering the country’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout, WHO’s emergency ‘surge’ team is on the ground, supporting the national initiative. WHO consultant Zora Machekanyanga travelled from Zimbabwe last week to join team leader Dr Charles Byabamazima and Dr Caroline Ryan.  They…

UK Med Critical Care Emergency Medical Team on Mission in Mauritania

The delegation met with the hospital’s and the ward’s medical teams as well as the WHO international medical specialists currently deployed

Ben Zaid Hospital welcomed on Monday, October 11, an emergency medical team from the UK MED, through the Secretariat Emergency Medical Team (EMT) of the World Health Organization (WHO). The deployment of this team follows a request from the Ministry of Health to support the country's efforts to manage severe…