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HEALTH-VIRUS-AFRICA
43 African countries report 1,436 COVID-19 cases as death toll rises to 46
ADDIS ABABA, March 23, 2020 (BSS/XINHUA) – A total of 1,436 COVID-19 cases
have been reported in 43 African countries so far, the Africa Center for
Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) disclosed on Monday.
The Africa CDC, in its latest situation update issued on Monday, also
revealed that the death toll in Africa due to COVID-19 is currently 46 across
the continent. The 46 deaths occurred in 10 countries.
The highly coronavirus-affected African countries include Egypt with 327
cases, South Africa with 274 cases, Algeria with 201 cases and Morocco with
115 cases, as of Monday, according to the Africa CDC.
The Africa CDC also disclosed that some 124 people who have been infected
with the COVID-19 have recovered.
John Nkengasong, Africa CDC Director, told a press conference on Thursday
that the Africa CDC is focusing on a three-pillar strategy to combat the
spread of COVID-19 in the continent.
“Our first strategy is aimed at prevention, the second pillar of strategy
is preventing death and the third pillar is preventing social harm,” he said.
Nkengasong also said Africa CDC is facilitating mass testing across the
continent as part of a comprehensive plan to fight the spread of the virus.
BSS/XINHUA/FI/ 2052 hrs