WEEKLY BULLETIN ON OUTBREAKS
AND OTHER EMERGENCIES
Week 33: 10 - 16 August 2020
Data as reported by: 17:00; 16 August 2020
...
Coronavirus disease 2019
Cameroon
18 582 Cases
403 Deaths
2.2% CFR
EVENT DESCRIPTION
Cameroon is the seventh most affected country in the WHO African
Region and, as of 16 August 2020, has a total of 18 582 cases, with 403
deaths (case fatality ratio 2.2%). A total of 141 (74%) of Cameroon’s
190 districts has been affected. Centre (9 528 cases) and Littoral (4 084
cases) districts have been the most affected, with West (1 081 cases)
and East (1 034 cases) following. The greatest number of deaths (106)
have been reported from Centre District, followed by Littoral (98), West
(60) and East (26). There has been a total of 16 537 (89.5%) recoveries.
A total of 780 healthcare workers have been affected across the country,
with the highest number of cases seen in Littoral (215), followed by
West (134) and North-West (107) districts. Out of the affected healthcare
workers, 20 (2.6%) have died.
Among the 12 267 cases where age and sex were known, the age group
30 to 39 were most affected, with 1 998 males and 1 448 females.
In the 224 reported deaths where age and sex are known, more men than
women have died of COVID-19, with the male to female ratio at 1.4, with
most deaths taking place in those aged 60 to 69 (49 male and 23 female
deaths) and in those aged 70 to 79 (30 males and 25 females).
PUBLIC HEALTH ACTIONS
Coordination activities continue, with an evaluation workshop
on the mobile screening strategy taking place on 6 August 2020,
continued training on the Open Logistics Management Information
System, and a meeting with the mayors of Yaound? to review
screening and community engagement strategy.
A training workshop was held for 49 health district personnel
in Centre Region on filling the COVID-19 patient registers in
hospital and home follow-up; a workshop was launched in
KyeOssi on improving data quality, line lists and data mapping for 18
participants from the 10 health districts in South Region.
A joint WHO/Regional Public Health Delegation workshop targeted
25 media personnel in Adamaou on risk communication, disease
knowledge, compliance with barrier measures and safe and
dignified burials; further collaboration targeted 55 traditional
healers on COVID-19 prevention and risk communication and
community engagement.
A total of 164 new contacts were reported on 12 August 2020, with
1 273 active on this date, of whom 941 (73.9%) were followed, with
332 lost to follow-up.
Point of Entry screening continues at the Yaound? International
Airport and land entry points at Groua Boula? and Nkentzou.
Infection prevention and control (IPC) and water, sanitation and
hygiene (WASH) activities continue, with 77 health workers trained
in IPC/WASH in health districts, as well as IPC assessment of health
facilities and hospital staff briefings.
There are 15 laboratories operational in nine health districts, with
only South Region without a functional PCR laboratory; all regions
now have rapid testing available.
A total of 63 488 PCR tests have been analysed across the country,
a rate of 2.4 tests per 1 000 people.
SITUATION INTERPRETATION
Cameroon is the seventh most affected country in the WHO African
Region and has seen cases rise rapidly since the initial imported cases in
late February/early March 2020. Community transmission is now clearly
established, with most districts of the country affected, although most
infections and deaths are reported from urban centres. Cameroon is one
of the countries in the Region regarded as ‘stable’ using the country
progress scoring system, although the attack rate is high at 70.4 per
100 000 population and the number of healthcare workers affected is
concerning, indicating poor infection control measures. These two
factors suggest that there is no room for complacency and authorities
in Cameroon need to ensure that testing capacity is improved, and that
non-pharmaceutical measures are strongly encouraged among the
population to keep transmission as low as possible. Risk communication
and community engagement strategies are essential to ensure that the
population remain aware of the risks associated with the disease.
AND OTHER EMERGENCIES
Week 33: 10 - 16 August 2020
Data as reported by: 17:00; 16 August 2020
...
Coronavirus disease 2019
Cameroon
18 582 Cases
403 Deaths
2.2% CFR
EVENT DESCRIPTION
Cameroon is the seventh most affected country in the WHO African
Region and, as of 16 August 2020, has a total of 18 582 cases, with 403
deaths (case fatality ratio 2.2%). A total of 141 (74%) of Cameroon’s
190 districts has been affected. Centre (9 528 cases) and Littoral (4 084
cases) districts have been the most affected, with West (1 081 cases)
and East (1 034 cases) following. The greatest number of deaths (106)
have been reported from Centre District, followed by Littoral (98), West
(60) and East (26). There has been a total of 16 537 (89.5%) recoveries.
A total of 780 healthcare workers have been affected across the country,
with the highest number of cases seen in Littoral (215), followed by
West (134) and North-West (107) districts. Out of the affected healthcare
workers, 20 (2.6%) have died.
Among the 12 267 cases where age and sex were known, the age group
30 to 39 were most affected, with 1 998 males and 1 448 females.
In the 224 reported deaths where age and sex are known, more men than
women have died of COVID-19, with the male to female ratio at 1.4, with
most deaths taking place in those aged 60 to 69 (49 male and 23 female
deaths) and in those aged 70 to 79 (30 males and 25 females).
PUBLIC HEALTH ACTIONS
Coordination activities continue, with an evaluation workshop
on the mobile screening strategy taking place on 6 August 2020,
continued training on the Open Logistics Management Information
System, and a meeting with the mayors of Yaound? to review
screening and community engagement strategy.
A training workshop was held for 49 health district personnel
in Centre Region on filling the COVID-19 patient registers in
hospital and home follow-up; a workshop was launched in
KyeOssi on improving data quality, line lists and data mapping for 18
participants from the 10 health districts in South Region.
A joint WHO/Regional Public Health Delegation workshop targeted
25 media personnel in Adamaou on risk communication, disease
knowledge, compliance with barrier measures and safe and
dignified burials; further collaboration targeted 55 traditional
healers on COVID-19 prevention and risk communication and
community engagement.
A total of 164 new contacts were reported on 12 August 2020, with
1 273 active on this date, of whom 941 (73.9%) were followed, with
332 lost to follow-up.
Point of Entry screening continues at the Yaound? International
Airport and land entry points at Groua Boula? and Nkentzou.
Infection prevention and control (IPC) and water, sanitation and
hygiene (WASH) activities continue, with 77 health workers trained
in IPC/WASH in health districts, as well as IPC assessment of health
facilities and hospital staff briefings.
There are 15 laboratories operational in nine health districts, with
only South Region without a functional PCR laboratory; all regions
now have rapid testing available.
A total of 63 488 PCR tests have been analysed across the country,
a rate of 2.4 tests per 1 000 people.
SITUATION INTERPRETATION
Cameroon is the seventh most affected country in the WHO African
Region and has seen cases rise rapidly since the initial imported cases in
late February/early March 2020. Community transmission is now clearly
established, with most districts of the country affected, although most
infections and deaths are reported from urban centres. Cameroon is one
of the countries in the Region regarded as ‘stable’ using the country
progress scoring system, although the attack rate is high at 70.4 per
100 000 population and the number of healthcare workers affected is
concerning, indicating poor infection control measures. These two
factors suggest that there is no room for complacency and authorities
in Cameroon need to ensure that testing capacity is improved, and that
non-pharmaceutical measures are strongly encouraged among the
population to keep transmission as low as possible. Risk communication
and community engagement strategies are essential to ensure that the
population remain aware of the risks associated with the disease.
Comment