COVID-19 in Continental Africa

Abstract

Background: In late December 2019, the emerging disease of COVID- 19 was first diagnosed in China. It was caused by a coronavirus and caused limitations in most parts of the world. Objectives: We investigated the epidemiology of COVID-19 in continental Africa. Methods: This ecological study described the epidemiological features of COVID-19 in Africa. We extracted the data related to identified definitive cases and deaths due to this disease and other information from the reports released by the World Health Organization and transferred the data to the SPSS 24 software. Also, the fatality rate was separately determined for each country. Results: The highest number of cases diagnosed with COVID-19 was in South Africa with 2907619 cases, and the highest number of deaths due to COVID19 was found in South Africa with 87922 cases. The highest case fatality rate was in Liberia, with 4.93%. Conclusions: Prevention of COVID-19 transmission is possible by vaccinating most age groups in the community and observing social distance. Upgrading diagnostic equipment and identifying healthy and quarantined carriers is also effective in reducing COVID- 19 transmission. The cooperation of health officials and volunteers is effective in more fully identifying patients and enforcing quarantine rules. The World Health Organization provides financial support, diagnostic equipment, and vaccines for low- and middle-income countries in all parts of the world, especially in Africa. Financial support from charitable groups to provide insurance services and medical and pharmaceutical equipment is an effective help in reducing the damage of COVID- 19.