WHO tasks Africa to kill COVID-19

The World Health Organisation says it is concerned over Africa’s imminent third wave of COVID-19 infections.

It says while the world is experiencing its seventh consecutive week of declining numbers of cases, the African continent is seeing a steady rise in new infections.

The weekly global average of new cases has decreased by 11 percent compared to Africa’s increase of 40 percent in new infections.

Director-general Tedros Ghebreyesus says the worrisome part is that Africa is still struggling to access COVID-19 vaccines.

The who has also called on rich countries to invest more into the vaccination programmes of lower income countries.

The organisation says this includes infrastructure and technological support that will assist them in preparing adequate vaccine cold chain management.

This comes as the Pfizer vaccine is expected to be distributed widely in the southern hemisphere after the US announced a donation of half a billion doses.