COVID-19 African region (WHO Africa, Week 23: 29 MAY-04 JUNE 2023)

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WEEKLY BULLETIN ON OUTBREAKS
AND OTHER EMERGENCIES

Week 9: 20 to 26 February 2023
Data as reported by: 17:00; 26 February 2023
...

WHO African region COVID-19

8 959 441 Cases
174 191 Deaths
1.9% CFR

EVENT DESCRIPTION

COVID-19 has been confirmed in 8 959 441 people
in the WHO African region from the beginning of the
pandemic until February 24, 2022. At the same time,
174 191 COVID-19 related deaths have been reported
in the region, accounting for an overall case fatality ratio
of 1.9%. Ninety-two percent (8 261 468) of the confirmed
cases have been reported to have recovered from the
disease.

Five countries account for the highest number of
cumulative cases: South Africa 4 060 385 (45.3%),
Ethiopia 499 903 (5.6%), Kenya 342 912 (3.8%), Zambia
342 707 (3.8%), and Botswana 329 727 (3.7%). The
five countries that have reported the highest number of
cumulative deaths are South Africa 102 595 (59.0%),
Ethiopia 7 572 (4.4%), Algeria 6 881 (4.0%), Kenya 5 688
(3.3%), and Zimbabwe 5 663 (3.3%).

In the last two epidemiological weeks – epi weeks 7
(ending 19 February 2023) and 6 (ending on 12 February
2023), there was a 29% decrease in the number of
confirmed COVID-19 cases observed with a total of 2 881
cases reported during epi week 7 (daily average of 412
cases), compared to 4 039 cases reported in epi week 6
(daily average of 577 cases).

South Africa 1 470 (51%), Zambia 390 (14%), Zimbabwe
279 (10%), Ethiopia 100 (3%), and Botswana 52 (2%)
accounted for 80% of the 2 881 new cases reported in the
last 7 days. The number of new COVID-19-related deaths
in the region has remained low with five fatalities reported
in epi week 7 from three countries including Zambia (3),
Angola and Zimbabwe (one each). Comparing epi weeks
7 to 6 with nine deaths reported, there was a 46% decline
in the number of deaths reported in the region.

In the past week, Zimbabwe did not meet the resurgence
status following a reduction in the number of new
COVID-19 weekly cases and improvement in the testing
and positivity rates.
Following a steady increase in the number of new
COVID-19 cases over the course of at least two
consecutive weeks, Côte d’Ivoire and Mali were put in
ALERT status and are being actively monitored. New
hospitalizations, Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admissions
and severe presentation of the disease have all remained
low in the region.

SITUATION INTERPRETATION

For the fourth consecutive week, weekly COVID-19
incidence has continued to decrease across the African
region, indicating that the pandemic situation is stabilizing
in many African countries. Cote d’Ivoire and Mali are on
ALERT due to an uptick of new cases in recent weeks.
Hospitalization and ICU admission rates, have remained
very low throughout the region, since no country has
reported a critical situation. WHO has developed a
transition framework with key specific recommendations
to accompany the Member States in developing and
implementing response plans adapted to the current
dynamic of the pandemic.

https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/366345/OEW09-2026022023.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y

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WEEKLY BULLETIN ON OUTBREAKS
AND OTHER EMERGENCIES

Week 11: 6 to 12 March 2023
Data as reported by: 17:00; 12 March 2023
...

WHO African region
COVID-19

8 968 069 Cases
174 208 Deaths
1.9% CFR

EVENT DESCRIPTION

COVID-19 has been confirmed in 8 968 069 people
in the WHO African region from the beginning of the
pandemic until March 10, 2023. At the same time, 174
208 COVID-19 related deaths have been reported in the
region, accounting for an overall case fatality ratio of
1.9%. Ninety-two percent (8 264 681) of the confirmed
cases have been reported to have recovered from the
disease.

Five countries account for the highest number of
cumulative cases: South Africa 4 065 743 (45.3%),
Ethiopia 500 116 (5.6%), Zambia 343 135 (3.8%), Kenya
342 938 (3.8%), and Botswana 329 769 (3.7%). The
five countries that have reported the highest number of
cumulative deaths are South Africa 102 595 (59.0%),
Ethiopia 7 572 (4.4%), Algeria 6 881 (4.0%), Kenya 5 688
(3.3%), and Zimbabwe 5 671 (3.3%).

In the last two epidemiological weeks – epi weeks 9
(ending 5 March 2023) and 8 (ending 26 February),
there was a 104% increase in the number of confirmed
COVID-19 cases observed with a total of 5 418 cases
reported during epi week 9 (daily average of 774 cases),
compared to 2 652 cases reported in epi week 8 (daily
average of 379 cases).

South Africa 4 165 (77%), Zambia 181 (3%), Zimbabwe
149 (3%), Ethiopia 91 (2%), and Eswatini 68 (1%)
accounted for 86% of the 5 418 new cases reported in
the last 7 days. The number of new COVID-19-related
deaths in the region has remained low with three fatalities
reported in epi week 9 from two countries including
Eswatini (2), and Madagascar (1). Comparing epi weeks
9 to 8 with eight deaths reported, there was a 63% decline
in the number of deaths reported in the region.

Following a steady increase in the number of new COVID-19
cases over the course of at least two consecutive weeks,
only Cameroon was put in ALERT status and is being
actively monitored. New hospitalizations, Intensive Care
Unit (ICU) admissions and severe presentation of the
disease have all remained low in the region.

SITUATION INTERPRETATION

The weekly COVID-19 incidence has doubled across the
African region, mainly due to reports from 11 out of 25
countries that submitted their data to WHO for epi week
9 when compared to epi week 8. Cameroon is on ALERT
due to an uptick of new cases in recent weeks. WHO
has developed a transition framework with key specific
recommendations to accompany the Member States in
developing and implementing response plans adapted
to the current dynamic of the pandemic

https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/366504/OEW11-0612032023.pdf

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WEEKLY BULLETIN ON OUTBREAKS
AND OTHER EMERGENCIES

Week 13: 20 - 26 March 2023
Data as reported by: 17:00; 26 March 2023
...

WHO African region

COVID-19

8 976 179 Cases
174 220 Deaths
1.9% CFR

EVENT DESCRIPTION

COVID-19 has been confirmed in 8 976 179 people
in the WHO African region from the beginning of the
pandemic until 24 March 2023. At the same time, 174
220 COVID-19 related deaths have been reported in the
region, accounting for an overall case fatality ratio of
1.9%. Ninety-two percent (8 266 689) of the confirmed
cases have been reported to have recovered from the
disease.

Five countries account for the highest number of
cumulative cases: South Africa 4 070 434 (45.4%),
Ethiopia 500 384 (5.6%), Zambia 343 415 (3.8%), Kenya
342 963 (3.8%), and Botswana 329 812 (3.7%). The
five countries that have reported the highest number of
cumulative deaths are South Africa 102 595 (59.0%),
Ethiopia 7 573 (4.4%), Algeria 6 881 (4.0%), Kenya 5 688
(3.3%), and Zimbabwe 5 678 (3.3%).

In the last two epidemiological weeks – week 11 (ending
19 March 2023) and week 10 (ending on 12 March 2023),
there was a 7% decrease in the number of confirmed
COVID-19 cases observed with a total of 3 552 cases
reported during week 11 (daily average of 507 cases),
compared to 3 810 cases reported in week 10 (daily
average of 544 cases).

South Africa 2 210 (62%), Mauritius 487 (14%), Zambia
165 (5%), Ghana 120 (3%), and Mozambique 36 (1%)
accounted for 85% of the 3 552 new cases reported in the
last 7 days. The number of new COVID-19-related deaths
in the region has remained low with five fatalities reported
in week 11 from three countries including Zimbabwe (2),
Republic of Congo (1), Ethiopia (1), and Madagascar (1).
Comparing weeks 11 to 10 with four deaths reported by
Zimbabwe, there was a 20% increase in the number of
new weekly deaths reported in the region.

Four countries have reported a steady increase in the
number of new COVID-19 cases over the course of at
least two consecutive weeks including Mauritius [from
400 to 487 (+14%)], Ghana [59 to 120 (+103%)], Sao
Tome and Principe [15 to 53, (+253%)], and Botswana
[16 to 27 (+69%)]. These countries are being actively
monitored.

New hospitalizations, Intensive Care Unit (ICU)
admissions and severe presentation of the disease
continue to remain low in the region as the majority of
COVID-19 cases are mild to moderate and respond to
home-based treatment, and no country has reported a
burden on hospital capacity in the last week of reporting.

SITUATION INTERPRETATION

The COVID-19 situation in the region is steady, with the
majority of countries continuing to observe a reduction in
the weekly incidence of COVID-19.

The increasing number of reported new cases in
Botswana, Ghana, Mauritius, and Sao Tome and Principe
needs active monitoring and investigation to identify the
key drivers and respond appropriately to contain the
spread. However, there has been no critical situation and
no evidence of strain on healthcare systems reported in
these countries.
...

https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/366672/OEW13_2026032023.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y

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WEEKLY BULLETIN ON OUTBREAKS
AND OTHER EMERGENCIES

Week 15: 3-9 April 2023
Data as reported by: 17:00; 9 April 2023
...

WHO African region COVID-19

8 980 841 Cases
174 230 Deaths
1.9% CFR

EVENT DESCRIPTION

As of 8 April 2023, a total of 8 980 841 laboratory
confirmed cases including 174 230 related COVID-19
deaths have been reported in the WHO African region
(AFRO) since the beginning of the pandemic, resulting
in an overall case fatality rate of 1.9%. It is estimated that
92% (8 268 136) of individuals infected fully recovered
from the disease. Cumulatively, five countries have
reported the highest number of cases: South Africa 4 072
533 (45.4%), Ethiopia 500 678 (5.6%), Zambia 343 415
(3.8%), Kenya 342 988 (3.8%), and Botswana 329 837
(3.7%).

At the same time, the following five countries have
cumulatively reported the highest number of deaths:
South Africa 102 595 (59.0% of all deaths), Ethiopia 7
573 (4.4%), Algeria 6 881 (4.0%), Kenya 5 688 (3.3%),
and Zimbabwe 5 681 (3.3%).

In the past 28 days, the following five countries reported
the highest number of new cases: South Africa 6 790
(59.8%), Mauritius 1 421 (12.5%), Ethiopia 541 (4.8%),
Zambia 280 (2.5%), and Ghana 246 (2.2%). During the
same period, five countries reported the highest number
of deaths: Zimbabwe 9 (47.37%), Sao Tome and Principe
2 (10.53%), Cameroon 2 (10.53%), Uganda 2 (10.53%),
Ethiopia 1 (5.26%)

A decrease in reported weekly new cases of COVID-19
has been observed in epi week 13 (ending on 2 April
2023) with a total of 773 confirmed cases reported in
AFRO based on data submitted from 17 countries; while
28 countries reported 3 327 cases in epi week 12 (ending
on 26 March 2023). Of the 773 new cases reported in epi
week 13, Mauritius accounted for 339 (29%), followed by
Ethiopia 135 (24%), Ethiopia 1 043 (19%), Burundi 329
(6%) and Botswana 205 (4%).

The number of new COVID-19-related deaths in the
region has remained low, with one fatality recorded in epi
week 13 from Sao Tome and Principe. In epi week 12,
five COVID-19 deaths were reported from Zimbabwe (2),
Angola, Cameroon, and Sao Tome and Principe reported
one each.
COVID-19

Other countries have yet to update their data in the
past few weeks to allow accurate figures on COVID-19
incidence and mortality in the region.

SITUATION INTERPRETATION

The incidence risk of COVID-19 cases has decreased
for the fourth consecutive week when observing the 28
countries that have timely reporting of new weekly cases
in the WHO African region. This is an indication that the
pandemic situation is stabilizing in many African countries.
There is no country listed as being on resurgence or high
alert.

As the majority of COVID-19 cases are mild to moderate
and respond to home-based treatment, the number of
hospital admissions for related cases is extremely low
throughout the region, and no country has reported any
burden on hospital capacity.

The World Health Organization encourages all Member
States to sustain the continual monitoring of the pandemic
situation using subnational-level early warning systems
while integrating the COVID-19 surveillance into existing
routine disease surveillance systems
...

https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/366975/OEW15-0309042023.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y

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WEEKLY BULLETIN ON OUTBREAKS
AND OTHER EMERGENCIES

Week 17: 17-23 April 2023
Data as reported by: 17:00; 23 April 2023
...
WHO African region

COVID-19

8 984 440 Cases
174 238 Deaths
1.9% CFR

EVENT DESCRIPTION

As of 22 April 2023, a total of 8 984 440 laboratory
confirmed cases including 174 238 related COVID-19
deaths have been reported in the WHO African region
(AFRO) since the beginning of the pandemic, resulting
in an overall case fatality rate of 1.9%. It is estimated that
92% (8 270 175) of individuals infected fully recovered
from the disease. Cumulatively, five countries have
reported the highest number of cases: South Africa 4 072
533 (45.3%), Ethiopia 500 804 (5.6%), Zambia 343 803
(3.8%), Kenya 343 023 (3.8%), and Botswana 329 847
(3.7%).

At the same time, the following five countries have
cumulatively reported the highest number of deaths:
South Africa 102 595 (59.0% of all deaths), Ethiopia 7
574 (4.4%), Algeria 6 881 (4.0%), Kenya 5 688 (3.3%),
and Zimbabwe 5 685 (3.3%).

In the past 28 days, over 7 608 new cases in 31
countries, including 14 new deaths from seven countries,
were reported. The following five countries reported the
highest number of new cases: Mauritius 2 514 (33.0%),
South Africa 2 099 (27.6%), Ethiopia 420 (5.5%), Zambia
388 (5.1%), and Eswatini 263 (3.5%). During the same
period, five countries reported the highest number of
deaths: Zimbabwe 6 (42.9%), Sao Tome and Principe
3 (21.4%), Cameroon 1 (7.1%), Ethiopia 1 (7.1%), and
Zambia 1 (7.1%).

South Africa has integrated the routine COVID-19 testing
and reporting in the Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) sentinel
surveillance system. In their most recent report (as of 9
April, 135 COVID-19 new cases were recorded from all
surveillance public hospital since the beginning of the
year. Of these, 65 were admitted in hospital and one
related death was reported.

No significant change in the reported number of weekly
new cases of COVID-19 has been observed in epi week
15 (ending on 16 April 2023) with a total of 1 494 confirmed
cases reported in AFRO based on data submitted from
26 countries, while the same countries reported a total of
COVID-19

1 486 cases in epi week 14 (ending on 2 April 2023). Of
the 1 494 new cases reported in epi week 15, Mauritius
accounted for 962 (64.4%), followed by Chad 124 (8.3%),
Madagascar 72 (4.8%), and Eswatini 66 (4.4%).

There were no new COVID-19-related deaths reported
in the region in epi week 15 while four fatalities were
reported in epi week 14 from Botswana, Ethiopia, Sao
Tome and Principe, and Zimbabwe (one death each). It is
crucial for countries to update their data for the past two
weeks, including South Africa, to allow accurate figures
on COVID-19 incidence and mortality in the region.

SITUATION INTERPRETATION

The incidence risk of COVID-19 cases has remained
stable in the past two weeks when observing the 26
countries that have timely reported new weekly cases in
the WHO African region and there is no country listed as
being on resurgence or high alert. This is an indication
that the pandemic situation is stabilizing in many African
countries. While reporting requirements will change as
the pandemic progresses, the World Health Organization
is urging all countries to provide more reporting on
COVID-19 hospitalizations, Intensive Care Unit, and
mortality and to rely on these data, rather than on case
based reporting, to measure burden and impact.

https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/367270/OEW17-1723042023.pdf

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WEEKLY BULLETIN ON OUTBREAKS
AND OTHER EMERGENCIES

Week 19: 1-7 May 2023
Data as reported by: 17:00; 7 May 2023
...

Multiple Countries

COVID-19

8 986 322 Cases
174 243 Deaths
1.9% CFR

EVENT DESCRIPTION

As of 30 April 2023, a total of 8 986 322 laboratory
confirmed cases including 174 243 related COVID-19
deaths have been reported in the WHO African region
(AFRO) since the beginning of the pandemic, resulting
in an overall case fatality rate of 1.9%. It is estimated that
92% (8 270 728) of individuals infected fully recovered
from the disease. Cumulatively, five countries have
reported the highest number of cases: South Africa 4 072
533 (45.3%), Ethiopia 500 821 (5.6%), Zambia 343 881
(3.8%), Kenya 343 047 (3.8%), and Botswana 329 852
(3.7%).

Additionally, the following five countries have cumulatively
reported the highest number of deaths: South Africa 102
595 (59.0% of all deaths), Ethiopia 7 574 (4.4%), Algeria
6 881 (4.0%), Kenya 5 688 (3.3%), and Zimbabwe 5 686
(3.3%).

In the past 28 days (1 April 2023 to 29 April 2023), 5
713 new cases including 14 deaths were reported by
29 countries and the following five countries reported
the highest number of new cases: Mauritius 3 336
(58.4%), DRC 459 (8.0%), Zambia 315 (5.5%), Eswatini
304 (5.3%), and Ethiopia 257 (4.5%). During the same
period, five countries reported the highest number of
deaths: Zimbabwe 5 (3.7%), Mauritius and Sao Tome and
Principe two deaths each (14.3%), Zambia and Ethiopia
one death each (7.1%).

An increase of 16% in reported weekly new cases of
COVID-19 has been observed in epi week 17 (ending
on 30 April 2023) with a total of 2 326 confirmed cases
reported in AFRO based on data submitted from 23
countries, while 28 countries reported 2 001 cases in epi
week 16 (ending on 23 April 2023). Of the 2 326 new
cases reported in epi week 17, Mauritius accounted for 1
599 (69%), followed by DRC 191 (8%), Cabo Verde 103
(4%), Uganda 69 (3%), and Zimbabwe 46 (2%).

In epi week 17, three COVID-19 deaths were reported
(two from Mauritius, one from Mozambique) compared to
one death from Zimbabwe in epi week 16.

While 13 out the 23 reporting countries have observed
an increase in the number of new cases in epi week 17,
six countries have reported consistent increase for over
two consecutive weeks: Mauritius (21%), DRC (34%),
Cabo Verde (66%), Uganda (38%), Algeria (34%), and
Togo (67%). Mauritius is the only country that has been
classified as in Alert mode with increasing impact due to
the consistent increase in new weekly cases and the new
deaths that occurred in epi week 17.

Other countries are still updating their data for the past few
weeks to allow accurate figures on COVID-19 incidence
and mortality in the region.

SITUATION INTERPRETATION

The incidence risk of COVID-19 cases has increased
for the fourth consecutive week when observing the 23
countries that have timely reported new weekly cases in
the WHO African region with Mauritius in a situation of
concern that requires close monitoring for any potential
resurgence. The World Health Organization encourages
all Member States to sustain the continual monitoring of the
pandemic situation using subnational-level early warning
systems while integrating the COVID-19 surveillance into
existing routine disease surveillance systems.
...

https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/367814/OEW19-0107052023.pdf

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WEEKLY BULLETIN ON OUTBREAKS
AND OTHER EMERGENCIES

Week 23: 29 MAY-04 JUNE 2023
Data as reported by: 17:00; 04 JUNE 2023
...

African region

COVID-19

8 992 074 Cases
174 263 Deaths
1.9% CFR

EVENT DESCRIPTION

As of 3 May 2023, the WHO African region (AFRO)
has reported a total of 8 992 074 laboratory-confirmed
COVID-19 cases, with 174 263 related deaths, resulting
in an overall case fatality rate of 1.9%. It is estimated that
92% (8 272 240) of individuals infected with COVID-19
have fully recovered from the disease.

Among the countries in the AFRO region, five countries
have reported the highest number of cases. South Africa
leads with 4 072 533 cases (45.3% of total cases),
followed by Ethiopia with 500 871 cases (5.6%), Zambia
with 343 995 cases (3.8%), Kenya with 343 074 cases
(3.8%), and Botswana with 329 862 cases (3.7%).

Regarding COVID-19-related deaths, the same five
countries have cumulatively reported the highest
numbers. South Africa has recorded 102 595 deaths
(59.0% of all deaths), followed by Ethiopia with 7 574
deaths (4.4%), Algeria with 6 881 deaths (4.0%),
Zimbabwe with 5 692 deaths (3.3%), and Kenya with 5
688 deaths (3.3%).

During the period of 1 May 2023 to 28 May 2023, 19
countries in the AFRO region reported 5 283 new
confirmed cases and 14 deaths to the WHO. Among
these, the five countries with the highest number of new
cases are Mauritius with 3 628 cases (68.1% of new
cases), Cabo Verde with 448 cases (8.4%), Zimbabwe
with 345 cases (6.5%), the Democratic Republic of the
Congo (DRC) with 249 cases (4.7%), and Algeria with
123 cases (2.3%). During the same period, four countries
reported the highest number of deaths: Zimbabwe with
six deaths, Mauritius with four deaths, the DRC with three
deaths, and Cabo Verde with one death.

In the most recent 7-day period (22-28 May 2023), nine
countries reported 279 new COVID-19 cases, compared
to 1 162 cases reported by 14 countries in the previous
7 days (15-21 May 2023). Notably, some countries are
still in the process of updating their data for the past few
weeks, including South Africa, which will provide more
accurate figures on COVID-19 incidence and mortality
in the region.

PUBLIC HEALTH ACTIONS

The WHO AFRO COVID-19 team has been actively
reviewing data reported through the various existing
national surveillance systems. This includes analyzing
and evaluating the COVID-19 data collected to identify
trends, patterns, and areas of concern.

In order to enhance data reporting efficiency, the
team is providing support to countries in transitioning
their COVID-19 data reporting into weekly Integrated
Disease Surveillance and Response submissions.
This will streamline the reporting process and facilitate
a more comprehensive and integrated approach to
disease surveillance. A guide to integration during
the transition phase has been drafted and is currently
awaiting approval. This guide will serve as a valuable
resource for countries, providing them with guidance
on how to effectively integrate COVID-19 surveillance
into their routine surveillance systems.

Supporting research on post-COVID-19 conditions.
This includes conducting studies, collaborating with
experts, and gathering data to better understand the
long-term effects of COVID-19 on individuals and
communities.

SITUATION INTERPRETATION

The data presented indicates a decreasing trend in the
weekly COVID-19 situation in the WHO African region,
with a stable and controlled scenario. The cumulative
number of confirmed cases and deaths remains relatively
low compared to other regions of the world. Moreover, the
low hospital and ICU admission rates suggest that the
healthcare system is effectively managing the situation
and there is no strain. Nevertheless, the data also
underscores the importance of regular report updates
from all countries to ensure accurate monitoring of
COVID-19 incidence and mortality in the region, enabling
targeted interventions and resource allocation to control
the spread of SARS-COV-2 and minimize its impact on
the vulnerable population groups. It is crucial to continue
monitoring and maintaining these efforts to sustain the
current stable situation and further ensure the well-being
and safety of individuals in the region.

https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/369059/OEW23-290504062023.pdf