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 7: 7 – 13 February 2022
Data as reported by: 17:00; 13 February 2022
...

Coronavirus disease 2019 African region

7 936 101 Cases
166 295 Deaths
2.1% CFR

EVENT DESCRIPTION

During the week of 7 to 13 February 2022, the number of new
COVID-19 cases in the WHO African Region decreased by 30.4%
as compared to the number reported during the previous week.
The number of new deaths increased by 15.0%. Across the region,
over 34 045 new COVID-19 infections and just under 1 463 new
deaths were reported from 40 and 29 countries, respectively.
Majority of countries (74.0%) reported a decrease of 20% or
more in the number of new cases (Table 1), whereas only Sierra
Leone saw a 20% or more increase in weekly cases compared to
the past week. Benin, Cameroon, Chad, Gambia, Ghana, and the
United Republic of Tanzania did not report any new cases in the
past seven days.

The top five countries recorded the highest number of new cases
(27 819, 82.0%) with South Africa recording the highest number
(17 849 new cases, 11.0% decrease, 30.0 new cases per 100
000 population); followed by Algeria (3 776 new cases, 48.0%
decrease, 8.4 new cases per 100 000); Botswana (2 488 new
cases, 40.0% decrease, 103.0 new cases per 100 000), Zambia
(2 296 new cases, 1.0% increase, 12.0 new cases per 100 000);
and Madagascar (1 410 new cases, 33.3% decrease, 5.0 new
cases per 100 000) .

For the period (7 to 13 February 2022), a lessening in weekly
COVID-19 deaths was observed in the African region as 1 463
deaths were reported. Of all countries reporting deaths, a total
of 18 (62.0%) reported a decline in reported deaths, while 10
(35.0%) had an increase. The highest numbers of new deaths
were reported from South Africa (1 158 new deaths; 42.4%
increase; 1.9 new deaths per 100 000 population), Algeria (83
new deaths; 4.0% increase; 0.2 new deaths per 100 000), Ethiopia
(61 new deaths; 91.0% increase; 0.1 new deaths per 100 000),
Madagascar (28 new deaths; 15.2% decrease; 0.1 new deaths
per 100 000) and Malawi (25 new deaths; 92.3% increase; 0.1
new deaths per 100 000).

Eight countries meet the criteria for resurgence: Algeria, Botswana,
Cameroon, Chad, Guinea-Bissau, Madagascar, Mauritius, and
Seychelles.

As of 13 February 2022, over 7 936 101 confirmed COVID-19
cases and 166 295 deaths have been reported in the WHO
African Region, resulting in a CFR of 2.1%. More than 7.3 million
recoveries have been recorded, giving a recovery rate of 93.0%.
Overall South Africa has recorded the highest number of
COVID-19 cases in the region, with 3 641 811 cases (46.0%),
followed by Ethiopia 467 498 (5.9%), Kenya 322 473 (4.1%),
Zambia 309 502 (3.9%), and Algeria 261 752 (3.3%), accounting
for (63.0%) 5 003 036, of all cases.

In the same way, most reported deaths occurred in South Africa,
which accounts for 58.2% (96 993) of all deaths recorded in the
region. Ethiopia has the second-highest number of deaths (7 424
deaths, 4.5%) followed by Algeria (6 729, 4.0%), Kenya (5 631,
3.4%) and Zimbabwe (5 374, 3.2%), all accounting for 74.0%
(122 151) of all deaths reported in the region.

During this reporting period, a total of 82 health worker infections
were reported from Cameroon (62), Kenya (12), Namibia (6) and
Liberia (2) in the past week. Eswatini reported an additional 11
new health worker infections. An aggregate total of 153 182
COVID-19 infections (2.0% of all cases) among health workers
in the region, with South Africa accounting for 47.0% (71 113)
of the total infections. Kenya (12 713, 7.2%), Algeria (11 936,
8.0%), Zimbabwe (6 015, 4.0%) and Namibia (5 293, 3.5%) have
also recorded high numbers of health worker infections. Other
countries reporting health worker infections are shown in Table
1. The United Republic of Tanzania (10.0%), Liberia (6.0%),
Algeria (5.0%), Chad (4.1%), and Niger (4.1%) have the highest
proportion of health worker infections by country. Only Eritrea
has not reported any healthcare worker infections.

Cumulative COVID-19 infections on the African continent stand at
11 335 270. In addition, more than 244 734 deaths (CFR 2.4%)
and more than 10.2 million people have recovered. The African
continent accounts for 2.9% of global cases and 4.2% of global
deaths.

Around 152 million people are fully vaccinated, or 11% of the
African population. In comparison, 70% of people in the United
Kingdom and European Union have been fully vaccinated, and
66% in the United States. Around 85% of Africans have not
received a single vaccine dose. The vaccination rate needs to
increase six-fold if the continent is to meet the 70% target set
for mid-2022.

The COVID-19 vaccine rollout is the largest vaccine campaign
in the continent’s history and requires massive coordination
and logistical undertaking. Many countries continue to struggle
with inadequate financial planning, and an absence of detailed
micro-plans to guide rollout at district level. Other issues
making adequate rollout difficult are vaccine hesitancy, low
risk-perception, and lack of understanding about the role of
vaccination in preventing COVID-19.

SITUATION INTERPRETATION

New weekly cases on the African continent dropped for another
week. Only Sierra Leone reported a significant increase in new
cases when compared to the preceding week. Although deaths
increased overall, some countries reported decreases. Countries
with recent increases in death trends were Algeria, Democratic
Republic of Congo, Madagascar, and South Africa. However, the
increase in deaths in South Africa had been attributed to batch
reporting of backlog.

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WEEKLY BULLETIN ON OUTBREAKS
AND OTHER EMERGENCIES

Week 8: 14 – 20 February 2022
Data as reported by: 17:00; 20 February 2022
...

Coronavirus disease 2019 African region

7 966 928 Cases
168 193 Deaths
2.1% CFR

EVENT DESCRIPTION

During the week of 14 to 20 February 2022, the number of
new COVID-19 cases in the WHO African Region decreased by
20.4% as compared to the number reported during the previous
week. The number of new deaths increased by 23.0%. Across
the region, over 28 677 new COVID-19 infections and 1 847 new
deaths were reported from 37 and 24 countries, respectively.
In the past week, a total of 33 countries (72.0%) reported a
decrease o 20% or more in the number of new cases (Table 1),
although Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Togo,
and Zimbabwe saw a 20% or more increase in weekly cases
compared to the past week. Benin, Cameroon, Central African
Republic, Gambia, Ghana, Lesotho, Liberia, and the United
Republic of Tanzania did not report any new cases in the past
seven days.

The top five countries recorded the highest number of new cases
(24 123, 84.0%) with South Africa recording the highest number
(16 736 new cases, 6.2% decrease, 28.0 new cases per 100
000 population); followed by Algeria (2 302 new cases, 39.0%
decrease, 5.1 new cases per 100 000); Zimbabwe (1 971 new
cases, 103.3% increase, 13.0 new cases per 100 000), Zambia
(1 692 new cases, 26.3% decrease, 9.0 new cases per 100 000),
and Botswana (1 422 new cases, 57.2% decrease, 59.0 new
cases per 100 000).

For the period (14 to 20 February 2022), an increase in weekly
COVID-19 deaths was observed in the African region as 1 847
deaths were reported compared to 1 507 recorded in the previous
week. The highest numbers of new deaths were reported from
South Africa (1 674 new deaths; 45.0% increase; 2.8 new
deaths per 100 000 population), Algeria (68 new deaths; 18.0%
decrease; 0.2 new deaths per 100 000), Madagascar (15 new
deaths; 46.4% decrease; 0.1 new deaths per 100 000), Ethiopia
(14 new deaths; 77.0% decrease; 0.0 new deaths per 100 000),
and Zimbabwe (12 new deaths; 0.1% increase; 0.1 new deaths
per 100 000).

Six countries met the criteria for resurgence (a 20% increase
in new COVID-19 cases for a period of at least two consecutive
weeks) that cases in the past week have reached 30% or more of
the country’s highest weekly number of cases.): Algeria, Botswana,
Guinea-Bissau, Madagascar, Mauritius, and Seychelles.
As of 20 February 2022, nearly 8.0 million confirmed COVID-19
cases and 168 193 deaths have been reported in the WHO
African Region, resulting in a CFR of 2.1%. More than 7.4 million
recoveries have been recorded, giving a recovery rate of 93.0%.
Overall South Africa has recorded the highest number of
COVID-19 cases in the region, with 3 658 547 cases (46.0% of
all reported cases), followed by Ethiopia 468 345 (5.9%), Kenya
322 696 (4.1%), Zambia 311 194 (3.9%), and Algeria 264 054
(3.3%), accounting for (63.0%) 5 024 836 of all cases.

Similarly, most reported deaths occurred in South Africa, which
accounts for 59.0% (98 667) of all deaths recorded in the region.
Ethiopia has the second-highest number of deaths (7 438 deaths,
4.4%) followed by Algeria (6 797, 4.0%), Kenya (5 635, 3.4%)
and Zimbabwe (5 386, 3.2%), all accounting for 74.0% (123 923)
of all deaths reported in the region.

Only Namibia and Kenya reported 23 and three new health worker
infection, respectively, in the past week. Thus far, a cumulative
total of 153 217 COVID-19 infections (2.0% of all cases) among
health workers in the region, with South Africa accounting for
46.4% (71 113) of the total infections. Kenya (12 716, 8.3%),
Algeria (11 936, 8.0%), Zimbabwe (6 015, 4.0%) and Namibia
(5 316, 3.5%) have also recorded high numbers of health worker
infections. Other countries reporting health worker infections are
shown in Table 1. The United Republic of Tanzania (10.0%), Liberia
(6.0%), Algeria (5.0%), Chad (4.0%), and Niger (4.0%) have the
highest proportion of health worker infections by country. Only
Eritrea has not reported any healthcare worker infections.

During the past week, the African continent marked 2 years of
responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. To-date, a cumulative
total of 11.4 million infections have been recorded on the
continent. In addition, more than 247 644 deaths (CFR 2.4%)
and more than 10.4 million people have recovered. The African
continent accounts for 2.9% of global cases and 4.2% of global
deaths.

Approximately 168 million people are fully vaccinated, or 12%
of the African population Eritrea has not yet begun a vaccination
programme.

Regarding vaccine uptake, in the African region, four countries
have fully vaccinated 5% to 10% of their populations: Gabon,
Guinea, Senegal, and Sierra Leone. A total of 11 countries have
fully vaccinated 2% to 5%: Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Ethiopia,
Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, South Sudan, Tanzania,
and Zambia, while three have fully vaccinated less than 2%:
Burundi, Chad, and Democratic Republic of Congo.

Lack of funding and other operational challenges are driving low
vaccine uptake in some countries:

Burkina Faso, Chad, Sierra Leone, and South Sudan have
fragile states or ongoing humanitarian emergencies that
make it difficult to reach people with mobile vaccination
teams.

Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, and Nigeria
have large and diverse populations. The vastness of these
countries means they require more operational funding to
reach their populations.

Burundi and Tanzania started vaccinating later than other
countries.

Malawi, Uganda, and Zambia are experiencing low vaccine
acceptance among populations due to experiences with
vaccines having short shelf lives and expiring quickly.
Health workers in all countries are fatigued. Vaccines that
arrive with short shelf life put huge pressure on delivery
strategies and systems, amid low demand.

On 18 February 2022, WHO announced that the first six countries
that will receive the technology needed to produce mRNA
vaccines on the African continent are Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria,
Senegal, South Africa, and Tunisia. The global mRNA technology
transfer hub was established in 2021 to support manufacturers in
low- and middle-income countries to produce their own vaccines,
ensuring that they have all the necessary operating procedures
and know-how to manufacture mRNA vaccines at scale and
according to international standards.

SITUATION INTERPRETATION

New weekly cases on the African continent dropped for another
week. Only eight countries reported a significant increase in
new cases when compared to the prior week. Although deaths
increased overall, some countries reported decreases. South
Africa has reported a spike in the number of weekly deaths for the
second consecutive week. However, this increase is largely due
to a backlog in deaths being reported through mortality audits.

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WEEKLY BULLETIN ON OUTBREAKS
AND OTHER EMERGENCIES

Week 9: 21 – 27 February 2022
Data as reported by: 17:00; 27 February 2022
...

Coronavirus disease 2019 African region

7 993 089 Cases
168 934 Deaths
2.1% CFR

EVENT DESCRIPTION

The number of new COVID-19 cases in the WHO African Region
decreased by 24.0% during the week of 21 to 27 February 2022
as compared to the previous week. The number of new deaths
decreased by 62.0% in the reporting week. Across the region,
over 23 624 new COVID-19 infections and 715 new deaths were
reported from 38 and 27 countries, respectively.

In the past seven days, a total of 31 countries (70.2%) reported
a decrease of 20% or more in the number of new cases (Table
1), while only Congo, Guinea, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe
and Zimbabwe saw a 20% or more increase in weekly cases
compared to the past week. Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central
African Republic, Chad, Ghana, Liberia, and the United Republic
of Tanzania did not report any new cases in the past seven days.
The top five countries recorded the highest number of new cases
(20 773, 88.0%) with South Africa recording the highest number
(14 710 new cases, 12% decrease, 24.3.0 new cases per 100
000 population), followed by Zimbabwe (2 451 new cases, 24.4%
increase, 16.0 new cases per 100 000), Zambia (1 513 new
cases, 11.0% decrease, 8.0 new cases per 100 000), Botswana
(1 298 new cases, 40.0% decrease, 53.4 new cases per 100 000),
and Algeria (801 new cases, 65.0% decrease, 2.0 new cases per
100 000).

For the period (21 to 27 February 2022), an increase in weekly
COVID-19 deaths was observed in the African region as 715
deaths were reported compared to 1 868 recorded in the previous
week. The highest numbers of new deaths were reported from
South Africa (562 new deaths; 66.4% decrease; 1.0 new deaths
per 100 000 population), Algeria (34 new deaths;
50.0% decrease; 0.1 new deaths per 100 000), Ethiopia (22
new deaths; 57.0% decrease; 0.0 new deaths per 100 000),
Madagascar (16 new deaths; 6.7% increase; 0.1 new deaths per
100 000), and Seychelles (12 new deaths; 1000% increase; 12.1
new deaths per 100 000).

Three countries met the criteria for resurgence (a 20% increase
in new COVID-19 cases for a period of at least two consecutive
weeks) that cases in the past week have reached 30% or more
of the country’s highest weekly number of cases.): Botswana,
Madagascar, and Mauritius.

During the past week, the WHO African Region marked 2-years
of responding to the COVID-19 pandemic on 26 February 2022.
As of 27 February 2022, nearly 8.0 million confirmed COVID-19
cases and 168 934 deaths have been reported in the WHO
African Region, resulting in a CFR of 2.1%. More than 7.4 million
recoveries have been recorded, giving a recovery rate of 94.0%.
Overall South Africa has recorded the highest number of
COVID-19 cases in the region, with 3 673 257 cases (46.0% of
all reported cases), followed by Ethiopia (468 674, 5.9%), Kenya
(322 930, 4.0%), Zambia (312 707, 3.9%), and Algeria (264 855,
3.3%), accounting for 63.0% (5 042 423) of all cases.

Similarly, most reported deaths occurred in South Africa, which
accounts for 59.0% (99 229) of all deaths recorded in the region.
Ethiopia has the second-highest number of deaths (7 460 deaths,
4.4%) followed by Algeria (6 831, 4.0%), Kenya (5 639, 3.2 %)
and Zimbabwe (5 393, 3.2%), all accounting for 74.0% (124 552)
of all deaths reported in the region.

A total of eight new health worker infections were reported from
Cameroon (5), Kenya (2), and Congo (1) in the past week. Thus
far, a cumulative total of 153 226 COVID-19 infections (2.0% of
all cases) among health workers in the region, with South Africa
accounting for 46.4% (71 113) of the total infections. Kenya
(12 720, 8.3%), Algeria (11 936, 8.0%), Zimbabwe (6 015, 4.0%)
and Namibia (5 316, 3.5%) have also recorded high numbers of
health worker infections. Other countries reporting health worker
infections are shown in Table 1. The United Republic of Tanzania
(10.0%), Liberia (6.0%), Algeria (5.0%), Chad (4.0%), and Niger
(4.0%) have the highest proportion of health worker infections
by country. Only Eritrea has not reported any healthcare worker
infections.

The African continent has reported a cumulative total of 11.4
million infections. In addition, more than 247 644 deaths (CFR
2.2%) and more than 10.4 million people have recovered. The
African continent accounts for 2.9% of global cases and 4.2% of
global deaths.

Approximately 170 million people are fully vaccinated, or 13%
of the African population Eritrea has not yet begun a vaccination
programme.

WHO, UNICEF, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and partners are
supporting mass vaccination campaigns in 10 priority countries
to reach 100 million people by the end of April 2022. The 10
countries are conducting mass vaccination campaigns in a range
of urban settings such as shopping centres and markets, as well
as in hard-to-reach rural communities.

The global 70% target provides countries with a benchmark to
achieve broad-based vaccination and to vaccinate high-priority
populations with primary and booster doses.

Two countries have reached the mid-2022 70% target: Mauritius
and Seychelles. Additional 10 countries could reach this target
by mid-2022 if supported to scale-up operations. These 10
countries are Comoros, Egypt, Eswatini, Lesotho, Liberia,
Mauritania, Mozambique, Sao Tome and Principe, South Africa,
and Zimbabwe.

Nine countries have fully vaccinated 5% to 10% of their
populations: Burkina Faso, Djibouti, Gabon, Guinea, Republic of
Congo, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, and Uganda. Eleven have
fully vaccinated 2% to 4.9%: Cameroon, Ethiopia, Madagascar,
Malawi, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, and
Zambia. Three have fully vaccinated less than 2%: Burundi, Chad,
and Democratic Republic of Congo.

SITUATION INTERPRETATION
New weekly cases on the African continent dropped for another week. Only five countries reported a significant increase in new cases
when compared to the prior week. Although deaths increased overall, some countries reported decreases. With the low vaccination
rates observed across the region, WHO is working closely with African countries to determine their vaccine needs during the next six
months, which will help with a coordinated rollout.

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WEEKLY BULLETIN ON OUTBREAKS
AND OTHER EMERGENCIES

Week 10: 28 February – 6 March 2022
Data as reported by: 17:00; 6 March 2022
...

Coronavirus disease 2019 African region

8 111 689 Cases
169 460 Deaths
2.1% CFR

EVENT DESCRIPTION

The number of new COVID-19 cases in the WHO African Region
decreased by 53.0% during the week of 28 February to 6 March
2022 as compared to the previous week. The number of new
deaths decreased by 46.0% in the reporting week. Across the
region, over 20 070 new COVID-19 infections and 403 new deaths
were reported from 36 and 19 countries, respectively.

In the past seven days, a total of 31 countries (70.2%) reported a
decrease of 20% or more in the number of new cases (Table 1),
while only Angola and Zimbabwe saw a 20% or more increase
in weekly cases compared to the past week. Benin, Botswana,
Cameroon, Central African Republic, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Sao
Tome and Principe and the Sierra Leone did not report any new
cases in the past seven days.

The top five countries recorded the highest number of new cases
(17 972, 90.0%) with South Africa recording the highest number
(11 062 new cases, 25% decrease, 18.3.0 new cases per 100 000
population), followed by Zimbabwe (3 234 new cases, 23.3%
increase, 21.2 new cases per 100 000), Mauritius (2 152 new
cases, 89.0% decrease, 160 new cases per 100 000), Zambia
(1 114 new cases, 26.0% decrease, 5.8 new cases per 100 000),
and Algeria (410 new cases, 49.0% decrease, 1.0 new cases per
100 000).

For the period (28 February to 6 March 2022), a decrease in
weekly COVID-19 deaths was observed in the African region
as 403 deaths were reported compared to 746 recorded in the
previous week. South Africa reported the highest numbers of
new deaths (314 new deaths; 44.0% decrease; 1.0 new deaths
per 100 000 population), followed by Algeria (24 new deaths;
29.4% decrease; 0.1 new deaths per 100 000), Ethiopia (16 new
deaths; 27.0% decrease; 0.0 new deaths per 100 000), Zambia
(7 new deaths; 22.2% increase; 0.0 new deaths per 100 000),
and Madagascar (7 new deaths; 56.3% decrease; 0.1 new deaths
per 100 000).

During the past week, the WHO African Region hit the 8.0 million
mark of cumulative COVID-19 infections. As of 6 March 2022, the
cumulative number of infections stands at 8 111 689 and 169 460
deaths have been reported in the WHO African Region, resulting
in a CFR of 2.1%. More than 7.4 million recoveries have been
recorded, giving a recovery rate of 92.0%.

In general, South Africa has recorded the highest number of
COVID-19 cases in the region, with 3 684 319 cases (45.0% of
all reported cases), followed by Ethiopia (468 966, 5.8%), Kenya
(323 075, 4.0%), Zambia (323 821, 3.9%), and Algeria (265 265,
3.3%); the five countries accounting for 62.0% (5 055 446) of all
cases.

Similarly, most reported deaths occurred in South Africa, which
accounts for 59.0% (99 543) of all deaths recorded in the region.
Ethiopia has the second-highest number of deaths (7 476 deaths,
4.4%) followed by Algeria (6 855, 4.0%), Kenya (5 641, 3.2 %)
and Zimbabwe (5 399, 3.2%), all accounting for 74.0% (124 914)
of all deaths reported in the region.

Ten new health worker infections were reported from Namibia
(5), Cameroon (3), Kenya (1), and Equatorial Guinea (1) in the
past week. Eswatini retrospectively reported 22 health worker
infections. Thus far, a cumulative total of 153 257 COVID-19
infections (2.0% of all cases) occurred among health workers
in the region, with South Africa accounting for 46.4% (71 113)
of the total infections. Kenya (12 720, 8.3%), Algeria (11 936,
8.0%), Zimbabwe (6 015, 4.0%) and Namibia (5 320, 3.5%) have
also recorded high numbers of health worker infections. Other
countries reporting health worker infections are shown in Table
1. The United Republic of Tanzania (10.0%), Liberia (6.0%),
Algeria (5.0%), Chad (4.0%), and Niger (4.0%) have the highest
proportion of health worker infections by country. Only Eritrea
has not reported any healthcare worker infections.

The African continent has reported a cumulative total of 11.5
million infections. In addition, more than 250 106 deaths (CFR
2.2%) and more than 10.7 million people have recovered. The
African continent accounts for 2.9% of global cases and 4.2% of
global deaths.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the consequences for women’s
health are a serious cause for concern. Globally, from the latest
analysis done in 2021, WHO estimates that 245 million women
and girls aged 15 years and above are subjected annually to sexual
and/or physical violence perpetrated by an intimate partner. Global
statistics also reveal that one in four women are experiencing more
frequent conflicts in their homes. Unfortunately, in Africa, due to
the pandemic, services to women who have experienced sexual
violence declined in 56% of countries between November and
December 2021 compared with the period before the pandemic.

The disruptions also affected the uptake of essential reproductive
health supplies. Between June and September 2021 contraceptive
use fell in 48% of countries reporting data, according to a rapid
WHO survey in 21 African countries. Another WHO survey of
11 African countries revealed that more than half saw a 16%
increase in maternal deaths (excluding home births) between
February and May 2020, compared to the same period in 2019.
Every additional death of a woman giving birth to a child is an
unacceptable outrage.

SITUATION INTERPRETATION

The number of new weekly cases on the WHO African region continues to fall for the tenth consecutive week. Only Angola and
Zimbabwe reported a significant increase in new cases when compared to the prior week. The number of new deaths also decreased in
the past week. The WHO and other key partners continue to monitor the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic, while offering support
as deemed necessary.


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WEEKLY BULLETIN ON OUTBREAKS
AND OTHER EMERGENCIES

Week 11: 7 – 13 March 2022
Data as reported by: 17:00; 13 March 2022
...

Coronavirus disease 2019 African region

8 141 247 Cases
169 743 Deaths
2.1% CFR

EVENT DESCRIPTION

The number of new COVID-19 cases in the WHO African Region
decreased by 48.0% during the week of 7 to 13 March 2022
as compared to the previous week. The number of new deaths
decreased by 44.4% in the reporting week. Across the region,
over 16 936 new COVID-19 infections and 245 new deaths were
reported from 38 and 20 countries, respectively.

In the past seven days, a total of 26 countries (55.3%) reported a
decrease of 20% or more in the number of new cases (Table 1),
while onlyNigeria, Togo and Zambia saw a 20% or more increase
in weekly cases compared to the past week.Cameroon, Guinea,
Lesotho, Mauritius, and the United Republic of Tanzania did not
report any new cases in the past seven days.

Nearly all the new cases were reported from the top five countries
(15 406, 91.0%), with South Africa recording the highest number
(10 185 new cases, 9% decrease, 170 new cases per 100 000
population), followed by Zimbabwe (3 306 new cases, 2.2%
increase, 22.0 new cases per 100 000), Zambia (1 381 new
cases, 24.0% increase, 7.0 new cases per 100 000), Nigeria (316
new cases, 182.0% increase, 0.0 new cases per 100 000), and
Ethiopia (218 new cases, 25.3% decrease, 0.0 new cases per
100 000).

For the period (7 to 13 March 2022), a decrease in weekly
COVID-19 deaths was observed in the African region compared
to the previous week. South Africa reported the highest numbers
of new deaths (182 new deaths; 42.0% decrease; 0.3 new deaths
per 100 000 population), followed by Zimbabwe (15 new deaths;
200% increase; 0.1 new deaths per 100 000), Ethiopia (10 new
deaths; 38.0% decrease; 0.0 new deaths per 100 000), Algeria
(9 new deaths; 62.5% decrease; 0.0 new deaths per 100 000),
and Kenya (4 new deaths; 100% increase; 0.0 new deaths per
100 000).

Only one country, Mauritania met the criteria for resurgence (a
20% increase in new COVID-19 cases for a period of at least two
consecutive weeks) where cases in the past week have reached
30% or more of the country’s highest weekly number of cases.
As of 13 March 2022, the cumulative number of infections stands
at 8 141 247 and 169 743 deaths have been reported in the WHO
African Region, resulting in a CFR of 2.1%. More than 7.5 million
recoveries have been recorded, giving a recovery rate of 92.0%.
In general, South Africa has recorded the highest number of
COVID-19 cases in the region, with 3 693 532 cases (45.4% of
all reported cases), followed by Ethiopia (469 170, 5.8%), Kenya
(323 171, 4.0%), Zambia (315 148, 3.9%), and Algeria (265 410,
3.3%); the five countries accounting for 62.4% (5 066 431) of all
cases.

Similarly, most reported deaths occurred in South Africa, which
accounts for 59.0% (99 712) of all deaths recorded in the region.
Ethiopia has the second-highest number of deaths (7 485 deaths,
4.4%), followed by Algeria (6 862, 4.0%), Kenya (5 644, 3.3 %)
and Zimbabwe (5 414, 3.2%), all accounting for 74.0% (125 117)
of all deaths reported in the region.

Cameroon and Namibia reported three and one new health worker
infections, respectively, in the past week. Furthermore, Zimbabwe
retrospectively reported 5 594 health worker infections. Thus far,
a cumulative total of 158 851 COVID-19 infections (2.0% of all
cases) occurred among health workers in the region, with South
Africa accounting for 45.0% (71 113) of the total infections. Kenya
(12 720, 8.0%), Algeria (11 936, 8.0%), Zimbabwe (11 609 7.3%)
and Namibia (5 321, 3.3%) have also recorded high numbers
of health worker infections. Other countries reporting health
worker infections are shown in Table 1. The United Republic of
Tanzania (10.0%), Liberia (6.0%), Zimbabwe (4.8%), Algeria
(4.5%), and Niger (4.0%) have the highest proportion of health
worker infections by country. Only Eritrea has not reported any
healthcare worker infections.

The African continent has reported a cumulative total of
11.6 million infections. In addition, more than 251 743 deaths
(CFR 2.2%) and more than 10.7 million people have recovered.
The African continent accounts for 2.6% of global cases and
4.2% of global deaths.

The number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in the past
four weeks increased by 15% when compared to the number
of doses administered in previous weeks. Africa accounts
for only 3.8% of the 10.8 billion doses administered globally.
Approximately, 190 million people are fully vaccinated, 14.3%
of the African population. Of the 1.4 billion booster doses
administered globally, less than 1% of these have been given in
Africa. Only Eritrea has not yet begun an operational vaccination
programme in the continent.

WHO, UNICEF, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and partners are
supporting mass vaccination campaigns in priority countries to
reach 100 million people by the end of April 2022. The countries
are conducting mass vaccination campaigns in a range of urban
settings such as shopping centres and markets, as well as in
hard-to-reach rural communities. Six countries have begun mass
vaccination campaigns (Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of
Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, and Kenya), whereas five
campaigns are planned in March and April in Chad, Mali, Nigeria,
South Sudan, and Tanzania.

SITUATION INTERPRETATION

The number of new weekly cases and deaths on the WHO
African region continues to fall. Only Angola and Zimbabwe
reported a significant increase in new cases when compared to
the prior week. The vaccination pace in Africa is picking up with
an average of 16 million doses given each week. But countries
need to vaccinate even faster to meet the June 2022 target of
70%. WHO is currently supporting countries to meet this target,
having deployed experts to priority countries who are working
with local health authorities to ramp up vaccinations.
...

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WEEKLY BULLETIN ON OUTBREAKS
AND OTHER EMERGENCIES

Week 12: 14 – 20 March 2022
Data as reported by: 17:00; 20 March 2022
...

Coronavirus disease 2019 African region

8 167 677 Cases
169 951 Deaths
2.1% CFR

EVENT DESCRIPTION

The number of new COVID-19 cases in the WHO African Region
decreased by 51.0% during the week of 14 to 20 March 2022
as compared to the previous week. The number of new deaths
decreased by 18.0% in the reporting week. Across the region,
over 14 255 new COVID-19 infections and 203 new deaths were
reported from 37 and 13 countries, respectively.

In the past seven days, a total of 27 countries (58.0%) reported
a decrease of 20% or more in the number of new cases (Table
1), while only Burundi, Cabo Verde, Chad, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire,
Ethiopia, Guinea, Mali, Sao Tome and Principe, Sierra Leone,
and South Sudan saw a 20% or more increase in weekly cases
compared to the past week. Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon,
Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Lesotho, Liberia,
Mauritius, and the United Republic of Tanzania did not report any
new cases in the past seven days.

Almost all the new cases were reported from the top five countries
(12 870, 90.3%), with South Africa recording the highest number
(9 714 new cases, 5% decrease, 16 new cases per 100 000
population), followed by Zimbabwe (2 004 new cases, 39.4%
decrease, 13.2 new cases per 100 000), Zambia (690 new cases,
50.0% decrease, 4.0 new cases per 100 000), Ethiopia (271
new cases, 24.3% increase, 0.2 new cases per 100 000), and
Seychelles (191 new cases, 16.5% increase, 192.2 new cases
per 100 000).

Similarly, a fall in weekly COVID-19 deaths was observed in the
African region for the period (14 to 20 March 2022), compared
to the previous week. South Africa reported the highest numbers
of new deaths (156 new deaths; 14.3% decrease; 0.3 new deaths
per 100 000 population), followed by Zimbabwe (13 new deaths;
13.3% increase; 0.1 new deaths per 100 000), Algeria (7 new
deaths; 22.2% decrease; 0.0 new deaths per 100 000), Congo
(6 new deaths; 0.0% decrease; 0.1 new deaths per 100 000),
and Zambia (3 new deaths; 200% increase; 0.0 new deaths per
100 000).

Only one country, Mauritius met the criteria for resurgence (a
20% increase in new COVID-19 cases for a period of at least two
consecutive weeks) where cases in the past week have reached
30% or more of the country’s highest weekly number of cases.
Mauritius had a doubling time of 13.2 days during its second
wave (late December 2021 to mid-February 2022) and a 19.7-day
halving time is observed. The country has been undergoing partial
lockdown since mid-January 2021, with public gatherings limited
to 50 people, religious establishments admitting 10 people at a
time and in-person classes suspended for primary and secondary
schools. Just like other countries, the impact of recent COVID-19
wave on healthcare capacity, dominated by Omicron, is currently
low.

As of 20 March 2022, the cumulative number of infections stands
at 8 167 677 and 169 951 deaths have been reported in the WHO
African Region, resulting in a CFR of 2.1%. More than 7.5 million
recoveries have been recorded, giving a recovery rate of 92.0%.
In general, South Africa has recorded the highest number of
COVID-19 cases in the region, with 3 704 218 cases (45.4% of
all reported cases), followed by Ethiopia (469 455, 5.7%), Kenya
(323 281, 4.0%), Zambia (315 592, 3.9%), and Algeria (265 550,
3.3%); the five countries accounting for 62.2% (5 078 396) of all
cases.

Similarly, most reported deaths occurred in South Africa, which
accounts for 59.0% (99 881) of all deaths recorded in the region.
Ethiopia has the second-highest number of deaths (7 489 deaths,
4.4%), followed by Algeria (6 871, 4.0%), Kenya (5 647, 3.3 %)
and Zimbabwe (5 427, 3.2%), all accounting for 74.0% (125 315)
of all deaths reported in the region.

Thus far, a cumulative total of 159 430 COVID-19 infections
(2.0% of all cases) occurred among health workers in the
region, with South Africa accounting for 45.0% (71 113) of the
total infections. Kenya (12 720, 8.0%), Algeria (11 936, 8.0%),
Zimbabwe (11 609, 7.3%) and Namibia (5 323, 3.3%) have
also recorded high numbers of health worker infections. Other
countries reporting health worker infections are shown in Table
1. The United Republic of Tanzania (10.0%), Liberia (6.0%),
Zimbabwe (4.7%), Algeria (4.5%), and Burkina Faso (4.2%) have
the highest proportion of health worker infections by country.
Only Eritrea has not reported any healthcare worker infections.
The African continent has reported a cumulative total of
11.6 million infections. In addition, more than 252 043 deaths
(CFR 2.2%) and more than 10.8 million people have recovered.
The African continent accounts for 2.5% of global cases and
4.1% of global deaths.

WHO is working with member states to make sure there is
broad awareness about the available therapeutics, under what
circumstances they should be used, and how they can be procured
through the WHO Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator. Relevant
information was disseminated through a recent WHO webinar that
reached nearly 110 people. WHO is in the process of providing
training to seven countries on how to improve basic emergency
care. Those trained during the ongoing session will return to their
countries and share information across health facilities. Universal
access to diagnostics, vaccines and therapeutics will pave the
shortest path to the end of this pandemic.

SITUATION INTERPRETATION

The WHO African region has observed a sustained decline in
both cases and deaths. Even with the observed fall in cases,
more countries had an increase in weekly cases compared to the
previous week when only three countries had an increase. WHO
continues to support countries to respond to the COVID-19
pandemic.

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WEEKLY BULLETIN ON OUTBREAKS
AND OTHER EMERGENCIES

Week 13: 21 – 27 March 2022
Data as reported by: 17:00; 27 March 2022
...

Coronavirus disease 2019 African region

8 192 412 Cases
170 100 Deaths
2.1% CFR

EVENT DESCRIPTION

The number of new COVID-19 cases in the WHO African Region
decreased by 44.0% during the week of 21 to 27 March 2022
as compared to the previous week. The number of new deaths
decreased by 53.0% in the reporting week. Across the region,
over 14 145 new COVID-19 infections and 112 new deaths were
reported from 38 and 10 countries, respectively.

In the past seven days, 25 countries (53.2%) reported a decrease
of 20% or more in the number of new cases (Table 1), while
Angola, Chad, Equatorial Guinea, Gambia, Madagascar, Nigeria,
Rwanda, Senegal, Togo, and Uganda saw a 20% or more increase
in weekly cases compared to the past week. Cameroon, Central
African Republic, Guinea, Lesotho, and the United Republic of
Tanzania did not report any new cases in the past seven days.
Most of the new cases were reported from the top five countries
(12 468, 88.0%), with South Africa recording the highest number
(9 034 new cases, 7.0% decrease, 15 new cases per 100 000
population), followed by Zimbabwe (1 301 new cases, 35%
decrease, 8.5 new cases per 100 000), Mauritius (1 282 new
cases, 88.0% decrease, 26.4 new cases per 100 000), Zambia
(658 new cases, 4.6% decrease, 3.4 new cases per 100 000),
and Nigeria (193 new cases, 29.0% increase, 0.1 new cases per
100 000).

Similarly, a fall in weekly COVID-19 deaths was observed in the
African region during the period 21 to 27 March 2022, compared
to the previous week. South Africa reported the highest numbers
of new deaths (85 new deaths; 46.0% decrease; 0.1 new deaths
per 100 000 population), followed by Zimbabwe (11 new deaths;
15.4% decrease; 0.1 new deaths per 100 000), Madagascar
(4 new deaths; 33.3% increase; 0.0 new deaths per 100 000),
Zambia (3 new deaths; 0.0% change; 0.0 new deaths per
100 000), and Ethiopia (3 new deaths; 0.0% change; 0.0 new
deaths per 100 000).

Only one country, Mauritius, met the criteria for resurgence (a
20% increase in new COVID-19 cases for at least two consecutive
weeks) where cases in the past week have reached 30% or more
of the country’s highest weekly number of cases.

As of 27 March 2022, the cumulative number of infections stands
at 8 192 412 and 170 100 deaths have been reported in the WHO
African Region, resulting in a CFR of 2.1%. More than 7.5 million
recoveries have been recorded, giving a recovery rate of 92.0%.
South Africa has recorded the highest number of COVID-19
cases and deaths in the region, with 3 713 252 cases (45.3%
of all reported cases) and 99 966 deaths (59.0% of all reported
deaths). Next, is Ethiopia with 469 621 cases (5.7%) and 7 492
deaths (4.4%).

Overall, a cumulative total of 159 761 COVID-19 infections (2.0%
of all cases) occurred among health workers in the region, with
South Africa accounting for 45.0% (71 113) of the total infections.
Kenya (12 720, 8.0%), Algeria (11 936, 8.0%), Zimbabwe (11
609, 7.3%) and Namibia (5 324, 3.3%) have also recorded high
numbers of health worker infections. Other countries reporting
health worker infections are shown in Table 1. The United Republic
of Tanzania (10.0%), Liberia (6.0%), Zimbabwe (4.7%), Algeria
(4.5%), and Burkina Faso (4.2%) have the highest proportion of
health worker infections by country. Only Eritrea has not reported
any healthcare worker infections.

The African continent has reported a cumulative total of 11.6
million infections. In addition, more than 252 445 deaths (CFR
2.2%) and more than 10.8 million people have recovered. The
African continent accounts for 2.5% of global cases and 4.1% of
global deaths.

WHO and partners continue to work actively with country health
authorities to help them increase vaccination rates to reach the
70% target. These efforts are already paying off.
Mozambique has seen a 100% increase in vaccine administration
between February and mid-March 2022 (from 1.2 million to 2.4
million doses administered). The country support team assisted
in the phase four COVID-19 vaccination rollout for those aged
18 years and older in 10 provinces.

South Sudan has increased vaccine uptake as the target
population to vaccinate increased from 1.64% in January to
7.5% in March 2022. This came after a WHO SURGE team visited
the country in October 2021 to help develop and implement the
country’s “Intensified COVID-19 Optimization Strategy”.

Tanzania increased the number of doses administered in
February by 152%, compared to the previous month. Plans
are underway for a mass vaccination campaign. The country
support team is in the process of meeting with high-level
leadership to ensure political buy-in.

Over the past two years, the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted
efforts to combat vaccine-preventable diseases. Since March
2020, at least 17 African countries have postponed vaccination
campaigns. Affected countries are aware of the disruption to
routine immunization and are taking responsive action.

The COVID-19 pandemic has also slowed progress against TB
in the African region. Globally, deaths from TB rose for the first
time in a decade. The number of newly detected TB cases also
fell in high burden African countries due to disruptions by the
COVID-19 pandemic on health services. Additionally, 28% fewer
patients with drug-resistant TB were detected in Africa in 2020
compared with the previous year. Despite the formidable toll, TB
is not yet a health priority in many countries and this seriously
impedes efforts to reduce the TB burden.

SITUATION INTERPRETATION

The WHO African region has observed a sustained decline in
both cases and deaths. Even with the observed fall in cases,
more countries had an increase in weekly cases compared to
the previous week when only five countries had an increase.
Nigeria, which is one of the top five countries, also saw a rise in
weekly cases. The African Region is home to more than half of
the high-burden TB countries globally. Therefore, with several
TB deaths occurring in Africa, investment in the TB response
is non-negotiable. Strong national leadership, political will
and strategic partnerships are urgently needed to bridge the
resource shortfall.

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WEEKLY BULLETIN ON OUTBREAKS
AND OTHER EMERGENCIES

Week 14: 28 March – 3 April 2022
Data as reported by: 17:00; 3 April 2022
...

Coronavirus disease 2019 African region

8 211 688 Cases
170 224 Deaths
2.1% CFR

EVENT DESCRIPTION

The number of new COVID-19 cases in the WHO African Region
decreased by 44.0% during the week of 28 March to 3 April 2022
as compared to the previous week. The number of new deaths
decreased by 38.0% in the reporting week. Across the region,
over 12 783 new COVID-19 infections and 117 new deaths were
reported from 34 and 13 countries, respectively.

In the past seven days, 21 countries (46.0%) reported a decrease
of 20% or more in the number of new cases (Table 1), while
Côte d’Ivoire, Eritrea, Eswatini, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal,
and Seychelles saw a 20% or more increase in weekly cases
compared to the past week. Benin, Burkina Faso, Democratic
Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Liberia, Mauritius, Sao
Tome and Principe and the United Republic of Tanzania did not
report any new cases in the past seven days.

Most of the new cases were reported from the top five countries
(11 421, 89.4%), with South Africa recording the highest number
(9 702 new cases, 7.4% increase, 16 new cases per 100 000
population), followed by Zimbabwe (705 new cases, 46%
decrease, 9.0 new cases per 100 000), Zambia (481 new cases,
27.0% decrease, 2.5 new cases per 100 000), Seychelles (335
new cases, 43.0% increase, 337.0 new cases per 100 000),
and Ethiopia (198 new cases, 19.0% increase, 0.2 new cases
per 100 000).

Similarly, a fall in weekly COVID-19 deaths was observed in
the African region during the period 28 March to 3 April 2022,
compared to the previous week. South Africa reported the highest
numbers of new deaths (84 new deaths; 1.2% decrease; 0.1 new
deaths per 100 000 population), followed by Ethiopia (12 new
deaths; 300% increase; 0.0 new deaths per 100 000), Zimbabwe
(8 new deaths; 27.3% decrease; 0.1 new deaths per 100 000),
Madagascar (4 new deaths; 0% change; 0.0 new deaths per 100
000), and Zambia (1 new death; 67.0% decrease; 0.0 new deaths
per 100 000).

Only one country, Mauritius, met the criteria for resurgence (a
20% increase in new COVID-19 cases for at least two consecutive
weeks) where cases in the past week have reached 30% or more
of the country’s highest weekly number of cases.

As of 3 April 2022, the cumulative number of infections in the
WHO African Region stands at 8 211 688 and 170 224 deaths,
resulting in a CFR of 2.1%. More than 7.5 million recoveries have
been recorded, giving a recovery rate of 92.0%.

South Africa has recorded the highest number of COVID-19
cases and deaths in the region, with 3 722 954 cases (45.3% of
all reported cases) and 100 050 deaths (59.0% of all reported
deaths). Followed by Ethiopia with 469 819 cases (5.7%) and
7 504 deaths (4.4%).

Sao Tome and Principe reported 140 new health worker infections
retrospectively in the past week. Overall, a cumulative total of 159
890 COVID-19 infections (2.0% of all cases) occurred among
health workers in the region, with South Africa accounting for
45.0% (71 113) of the total infections. Kenya (12 720, 8.0%),
Algeria (11 936, 8.0%), Zimbabwe (11 609, 7.3%) and Namibia
(5 331, 3.3%) have also recorded high numbers of health worker
infections. Other countries reporting health worker infections are
shown in Table 1. The United Republic of Tanzania (10.0%), Liberia
(6.0%), Zimbabwe (4.7%), Algeria (4.5%), and Burkina Faso
(4.1%) have the highest proportion of health worker infections
by country. Only Eritrea has not reported any healthcare worker
infections.

The African continent has reported a cumulative total of 11.7
million infections. In addition, more than 252 873 deaths (CFR
2.2%) and more than 10.9 million people have recovered. The
African continent accounts for 2.5% of global cases and 4.1% of
global deaths.

WHO, UNICEF, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and other partners are
supporting mass vaccination campaigns in priority countries to
reach 100 million people by the end of April 2022.

The countries are conducting mass vaccination campaigns in a
range of urban settings such as shopping centres and markets,
as well as in hard-to-reach rural communities.

Six countries have concluded COVID-19 mass vaccination
campaigns (Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo,
Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, and Kenya).

Four countries (Cameroon, Chad, Republic of Congo, and Sierra
Leone) are currently undertaking COVID-19 mass vaccination
campaigns

Upcoming vaccination campaigns (this includes additional
phases for those that are ongoing or already complete) are
being planned in Botswana, Cameroon, Congo, Eswatini,
Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, South Sudan, Tanzania, Zambia,
and Zimbabwe.

SITUATION INTERPRETATION

Overall, the WHO African region has observed a sustained decline
in both cases and deaths. Côte d’Ivoire, Eritrea, Eswatini, Mali,
Mauritania, Niger, Senegal, and Seychelles saw a significant increase
in weekly cases compared to the past week. The WHO and other
key partners continue to support member states to increase uptake
of COVID-19 vaccines and monitor the evolution of the COVID-19
pandemic.

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WEEKLY BULLETIN ON OUTBREAKS
AND OTHER EMERGENCIES

Week 15: 4 – 10 April 2022
Data as reported by: 17:00; 10 April 2022
...

Coronavirus disease 2019 African region

8 228 469 Cases
170 312 Deaths
2.1% CFR

EVENT DESCRIPTION

In the week ending on 10 April 2022, over 11 746 new COVID-19
infections with 69 new deaths were reported from 34 and 13
countries respectively in the WHO African Region. This translates
into a 34.0% decrease in number of cases and 49.3% decrease
in number of deaths.

A total of 22 countries (48.0%) reported a decrease of 20%
or more in the number of new cases (Table 1), while Chad,
Lesotho, Liberia, Mali and Niger saw a 20% or more increase in
weekly cases compared to the past week. Angola, Burkina Faso,
Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Gambia and
Mauritius did not report any new cases in the past seven days.
Most of the new cases were reported from the top five countries
(10 600, 90.2%), with South Africa recording the highest number
(9 121 new cases, 6.0% decrease, 15 new cases per 100 000
population), followed by Zambia (452 new cases, 6.0% decrease,
2.3 new cases per 100 000), Zimbabwe (448 new cases, 37.0%
decrease, 3.0 new cases per 100 000), Seychelles (348 new cases,
46.0% decrease, 350.0 new cases per 100 000), and Ethiopia
(231 new cases, 17.0% increase, 0.2 new cases per 100 000).
Similarly, a fall in weekly COVID-19 deaths was observed in the
African region during the period 4 to 10 April 2022, compared to
the previous week. South Africa reported the highest numbers
of new deaths (46 new deaths; 45.2% decrease; 0.1 new deaths
per 100 000 population), followed by Zimbabwe (11 new deaths;
38.0% increase; 0.1 new deaths per 100 000), Ethiopia (5 new
deaths; 58.3% increase; 0.0 new deaths per 100 000), Malawi
(2 new deaths; 0% change; 0.0 new deaths per 100 000), and
Madagascar (2 new death; 50.0% decrease; 0.0 new deaths per
100 000).

No country met the criteria for resurgence (a 20% increase in
new COVID-19 cases for at least two consecutive weeks) where
cases in the past week have reached 30% or more of the country’s
highest weekly number of cases.

As of 10 April 2022, the cumulative number of infections in the
WHO African Region stands at 8 228 469 and 170 312deaths,
resulting in a CFR of 2.1%. More than 7.6 million recoveries have
been recorded, giving a recovery rate of 93.0%.

South Africa has recorded the highest number of COVID-19
cases and deaths in the region, with 3 732 075 cases (45.3% of
all reported cases) and 100 096 deaths (59.0% of all reported
deaths). Followed by Ethiopia with 470 050 cases (5.7%) and
7 509 deaths (4.4%).

From 25 February 2020 to 10 April 2022, a total of 159 893
COVID-19 infections (2.0% of all cases) occurred among health
workers in the region, with South Africa accounting for 45.0%
(71 113) of the total infections. Kenya (12 720, 8.0%), Algeria (11
936, 8.0%), Zimbabwe (11 609, 7.3%) and Namibia (5 334, 3.3%)
have also recorded high numbers of health worker infections.

Other countries reporting health worker infections are shown in
Table 1. The United Republic of Tanzania (10.0%), Liberia (6.0%),
Zimbabwe (4.7%), Algeria (4.5%), and Burkina Faso (4.1%) have
the highest proportion of health worker infections by country.
Only Eritrea has not reported any healthcare worker infections.
The African continent has reported a cumulative total of 11.7
million infections. In addition, more than 253 144 deaths
(CFR 2.2%) and more than 11 million people have recovered. The
African continent accounts for 2.3% of global cases and 4.1% of
global deaths.

To support an increase in community -based testing and
response interventions. WHO is spearheading an initiative which
is conducting mobile antigen-based rapid testing in communities
in 15 countries, as well as supplying masks, hand gels and other
infection prevention tools. The use of rapid antigen diagnostic
tests is on the rise.

According to the recent WHO analysis, sero-prevalence varies
widely within and across countries in Africa; higher in more
dense urban areas than in less populated rural areas and between
age groups, with children aged 0-9 years having fewer infections
compared with adults. Exposure to the virus also varies between
countries and Africa’s sub-regions: sero-prevalence appears to
be highest in Eastern, Western and Central African regions.
Africa has also had milder COVID-19 cases compared with other
parts of the world because there is a comparatively smaller
proportion of people with co-omorbidities such as diabetes,
hypertension and other chronic diseases that are associated with
more severe cases and deaths. Africa’s youthful population could
be also be a protective factor.

Different COVID-19 variants have been reported globally. Three
Omicron sub lineages (BA.1, BA.2, BA.3) have been reported
across the WHO African region. Eritrea, Equatorial Guinea,
Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, and Sao Tome and Principe, and Somalia
have not reported any omicron sub lineage cases. The Delta
variant and its sub-lineages have been confirmed in 50 African
countries. The only countries that haven’t reported the Delta
variant are Eritrea, Libya, Sao Tome and Principe, Somalia, and
Tanzania. Madagascar is the latest country to confirm Delta cases.

SITUATION INTERPRETATION

The number of new cases reported on the African continent
continue to decline, from over 250 000 a week at the beginning
of 2022, to nearly 20 000 cases in the past week.

Only Chad, Lesotho, Liberia, Mali and Niger saw a significant
increase in weekly cases compared to the past week. The WHO
and other key partners continue to support member states to
monitor the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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WEEKLY BULLETIN ON OUTBREAKS
AND OTHER EMERGENCIES

Week 16: 11 – 17 April 2022
Data as reported by: 17:00; 17 April 2022
...

Coronavirus disease 2019 African region

8 228 469 Cases
170 312 Deaths
2.1% CFR

EVENT DESCRIPTION

In the week ending 17 April 2022, over 11 994 new COVID-19
infections with 74 new deaths were reported from 33 and 12
countries, respectively, in the WHO African Region. This translates
into a 23.0% decrease in number of cases and 1.3% decrease in
number of deaths.

A total of 27 countries (57.0%) reported a decrease of 20% or
more in the number of new cases (Table 1), while Cabo Verde,
Mali, Mozambique, Niger, Uganda, and Zambia saw a 20% or
more increase in weekly cases compared to the past week.
Most (90.2%, 10 970) of the new cases were reported from the
top five countries, with South Africa recording the highest number
(9 155 new cases, 0.4% increase, 15 new cases per 100 000
population), followed by Zambia (1 032 new cases, 128.0%
increase, 5.3 new cases per 100 000), Zimbabwe (305 new
cases, 32.0% decrease, 2.0 new cases per 100 000), Seychelles
(255 new cases, 56.0% decrease, 256.0 new cases per 100 000),
and Ethiopia (223 new cases, 4.0% decrease, 0.2 new cases per
100 000).

Similarly, a fall in weekly COVID-19 deaths was observed in the
African region during the period 11 to 17 April 2022, compared
to the previous week. South Africa reported the highest numbers
of new deaths (51 new deaths; 11.0% decrease; 0.1 new deaths
per 100 000 population), followed by Zambia (6 new deaths;
0.0% change; 0.0 new deaths per 100 000), Zimbabwe (6 new
deaths; 50.0% increase; 0.0 new deaths per 100 000), Malawi
(3 new deaths; 50.0% increase; 0.0 new deaths per 100 000),
and Namibia (1 new death; 0.0% change; 0.0 new deaths per
100 000).

As of 17 April 2022, the cumulative number of infections in the
WHO African Region stands at 8 286 420 and 170 471 deaths,
resulting in a CFR of 2.1%. More than 7.6 million recoveries have
been recorded, giving a recovery rate of 93.0%.

South Africa has recorded the highest number of COVID-19
cases and deaths in the region, with 3 741 230 cases (45.2% of
all reported cases) and 100 147 deaths (59.0% of all reported
deaths), followed by Ethiopia with 470 273 cases (5.7%) and
7 509 deaths (4.4%).

From 25 February 2020 to 17 April 2022, a total of 159 898
COVID-19 infections (2.0% of all cases) occurred among health
workers in the region, with South Africa accounting for 45.0%
(71 113) of the total infections. Kenya (12 720, 8.0%), Algeria
(11 936, 8.0%), Zimbabwe (11 609, 7.3%) and Namibia
(5 336, 3.3%) have also recorded high numbers of health worker
infections. Other countries reporting health worker infections are
shown in Table 1. The United Republic of Tanzania (10.0%), Liberia
(6.0%), Zimbabwe (4.7%), Algeria (4.5%), and Burkina Faso
(4.1%) have the highest proportion of health worker infections
by country. Only Eritrea has not reported any healthcare worker
infections.

The African continent has reported a cumulative total of 11.8
million infections. In addition, more than 253 389 deaths (CFR
2.2%) and more than 11 million people have recovered. The
African continent accounts for 2.3% of global cases and 4.1% of
global deaths.

Scientific researchers in Botswana and South Africa have detected
new sub-lineages of the Omicron variant of the SARS-CoV-2 and
are carrying out further investigations to fully understand critical
traits such as infectivity and virulence. The identified sub-lineages
variant are BA.4 and BA.5. WHO experts are currently working
with scientists and researchers in the two countries to further
investigate on the sub-lineages which have so far been identified
in four people in Botswana and 23 in South Africa.

Outside Africa, the BA.4 and the BA.5 have been confirmed in
Belgium, Denmark, Germany, and the United Kingdom. Currently
there is no significant epidemiological difference observed
between the new sub-lineages and known sub-lineages of the
Omicron variant, which include BA.1, BA.2 and BA.3 sub-lineages.

SITUATION INTERPRETATION

New COVID-19 infections reported in the African region have
continued to fall for nearly three months, while deaths have
dropped for the last two months.Africa’s previous longest
decline in COVID-19 infections was between 1 August and 10
October 2021. Only Cabo Verde, Mali, Mozambique, Niger,
Uganda, and Zambia saw a significant increase in weekly cases
compared to the past week. With the waning infections, several
African countries are easing key COVID-19 measures such as
surveillance as well as public health measures including maskwearing
and bans on mass gatherings. WHO calls on countries
to enhance genomic surveillance to better understand circulating
SARS-CoV-2 variants, submit complete genome sequences and
report initial cases or clusters of cases linked with a variant of
concern.

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