according to new The World Health Organization (WHO) study, up to 65% population on The African continent has been hit with Corona virus and the agency estimates the number of Actual cases may be close to 100 times more of the reported cases.
at new Analysis released Thursday, the United Nations health agency reviewed 151 studies of COVID-19 in based in Africa on Blood samples taken from people on the continent between January 2020 and December 2021. The World Health Organization said that by last September about 65% of people It has had some exposure to COVID-19, which has resulted in about 800 million infections.
In contrast, only about 8 million cases were officially reported to the World Health Organization during that period.
“This undercounting occurs all over the world and it is not surprising that the numbers are particularly large in Africa where there are many cases with “There are no symptoms,” said Matshidiso Moeti, director of the World Health Organization in Africa. in Declaration. WHO analysis found That a large proportion of people with COVID-19, about 67%, had no symptoms when infected with disease, a higher percent in else world Regions.
Despite repeated warnings from WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus that the coronavirus will devastate Africa, the continent has been among the countries least affected by the pandemic. in that new As per the analysis, the World Health Organization said milder cases of COVID-19 were seen in Africa was attributed in Part of the proportion of the much smaller continent of people with the basic risk Factors like High blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease.
‘Youth of Africa population He is also The United Nations health agency said a “protective factor”, and some studies have proven this also Suggested that previous infection with May cause diseases including malaria people Some protection against coronavirus, although these hypotheses have not yet been confirmed.
Africa has reported 11.5 million cases of COVID-19, including more of 250,000 deaths. The World Health Organization said the virus has been trending downward since January, although there are some differences in Some countries And some, including South Africa, have been hit especially hard through successive waves of Illness. Last week, the World Health Organization said the figure of Covid deaths decreased by about 30% on the continent.
“Although Africa declining With infection and severe exposure to the virus, we can’t declare victory yet against “Covid-19,” Moeti said.
“Risks of more Emerging lethal variants that overwhelm acquired immunity past “Infections cannot be ruled out,” said one advocate. for Increase vaccination rates. only about 15% of people in Africa is fortified against COVID-19.
