Abstract
The use of technology has been ubiquitous in efforts to combat the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. In this perspective, we review technologies and new approaches developed at the start of the pandemic; efforts earmarked by a flexible approach to problem solving, local tech entrepreneurship, and swift adoption of technology. We performed a systematic review of the use of technology during the initial wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in most African countries. We identified relevant articles by searching for mentions of technology, COVID-19, and specific country names. Articles were included if they specifically mentioned the use of technology or novel innovations in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic in an African country. The article search was conducted in August and included articles published between January and August 2020. We retrieved articles from journals, trusted news, government, and organization websites on Google, Google Scholar and PubMed. A total of 80 articles were retained and categorized under Disease Prevention (19 articles), Disease Surveillance (30 articles), and Clinical Supplies and Management (31 articles). African nations used technology and innovative techniques to manage patients, monitor cases and disseminate information to counter the spread of COVID-19. The nature and outcomes of these efforts sometimes differed in Africa compared to other regions of the world due to its unique challenges and opportunities.
Highlights
Since the emergence of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in China, there have been varied, and sometimes conflicting narratives regarding its spread in African nations
We discuss the use of technology and innovations in the COVID-19 pandemic response under three subsections: disease prevention, disease surveillance and clinical supplies and management
Disease prevention is a major component of epidemic control and African nations have used technology in different ways to support preventive efforts
Summary
Since the emergence of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in China, there have been varied, and sometimes conflicting narratives regarding its spread in African nations. Seroprevalence and postmortem tests suggest that there have been widespread exposure of SARS-CoV-2 in some African countries [1,2]. While the response to the COVID-19 pandemic has varied across countries, there have been coordinated efforts by organizations such as the Africa CDC to limit both the public health and economic impact [4]. Local governments, non-governmental organizations and individuals have repurposed existing technologies and created novel innovations to fight COVID-19. In this perspective, we review the use of these technologies and other innovations for disease prevention, disease surveillance, and healthcare management. We aim to provide a comprehensive review of how technology has been used during the early stages of the pandemic in Africa with a focus on highlighting significant lessons and areas where there is potential for technology to strengthen local and national response to natural disasters
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