However, the new cases reported in late November account for less than 10% of cases recorded in the same period in 2021 and 2020. The current COVID-19 caseload is not exerting any significant strain on health facilities, with hospitalizations remaining low. Response to the COVID-19 the pandemic across Africa has helped countries to reinforce key public health emergency response measures including diagnosis and testing, critical care, and infection prevention and control. Only 26% of Africans are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and while countries such as Cameroon continue to carry out mass vaccination campaigns, others have begun integrating COVID-19 vaccination into routine immunization and primary health care services. “As we move into 2023, it is time to bring COVID-19 out of an emergency response mode and integrate into routine health care,” said Dr Moeti.

Source: Standard Digital December 08, 2022 13:00 UTC