According to the Lancet medical journal, the second wave of COVID-19, which began towards the end of 2020, was characterised by an infection rate 30 percent higher than the first wave. Lancet projects that on the basis of a first wave that progressed more slowly in Africa than the rest of the world and an aggressive second, the third wave could be the most brutal yet. “Our analysis showed that the African continent had a more severe second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic than the first, and highlights the importance of examining multiple epidemiological variables down to the regional and country levels over time,” the journal said. The provinces of Free State, Northern Cape, North West and Gauteng have reached the threshold of a third wave of infections. At the 74th World Health Assembly, Botswana’s Health and Wellness Minister Edwin Dikoloti called for mRNA vaccines to be manufactured in Africa.

Source: The North Africa Journal June 05, 2021 12:42 UTC