Continued decrease of COVID-19 cases in WHO African Region

Herald Reporter

The number of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases in the World Health Organisation African Region continues to decrease in the past six weeks.

According to latest information by the WHO Africa Regional office, a total of 41 614 new confirmed COVID-19 cases and 1 363 new deaths were reported from 46 countries between 26 August and 1 September 2020.

“This is a 21 percent decrease in cases as compared to 52 544 cases registered during the previous reporting period (19-25August 2020). At the same time, a 13 percent (1 363) decrease in the total number of deaths was recorded compared to the previous week when 1 562 deaths were registered.”

Overall, South Africa continues to bear the highest burden of COVID-19 in Africa, accounting for nearly half of all new cases, 37 percent (15 242), reported in this reporting period, although with a sustained marked decline in new cases for the past six weeks.