The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that about 190,000 people in Africa could die of Coronavirus in the first year of the pandemic, if containment of the disease fails.
In a new study carried out by the agency’s regional office in Brazzaville, it was found that between 83,000 and 190,000 could die and 29 to 44 million be infected during the period. The research is based on prediction modelling and covers 47 countries with a total population of one billion.
Though the spread of the virus has been slow across the continent which has not yet recorded the soaring number of infections or deaths seen in Europe, the United States and other places, experts have consistently warned that Africa is particularly vulnerable to an outbreak, due to weak health infrastructure, high rates of poverty, numerous roiling conflicts and a proven susceptibility to previous epidemics.
Africa has so far recorded 53,334 cases and 2,065 fatalities — out of a global death toll of nearly 267,000.
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