COVID-19 in malaria-endemic regions: potential consequences for malaria intervention coverage, morbidity, and mortality

Abstract

COVID-19 has had a massive impact on the populations and economies of the world. As of Sept 9, 2020, the virus has infected more than 27 million people in 216 countries and territories worldwide, and the number of deaths is approaching a million.1 Although the spread of COVID-19 to Africa has been slow and its direct impact in Africa is below the level seen in other continents, the potential effects of COVID-19 on strategies and methods to combat other diseases such as malaria—which pose significant burdens on substantial proportions of the world and the African population, and especially children—are a cause for great concern.