The number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in Africa reached 8.1 million. This is according to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), a specialised healthcare agency of the African Union.
In its continental Covid-19 dashboard, the Africa CDC indicated that the death toll from the pandemic across the continent currently stands at 206,202.
To date, the agency noted that over 7,454,718 patients across the continent have recovered from the disease.
South Africa, Morocco, Tunisia and Ethiopia are among the countries with the most cases in the continent, according to the agency.
In terms of the caseload, Southern Africa is the most affected region, followed by the Northern and Eastern parts of the continent, while central Africa is the least affected region on the continent, according to the Africa CDC.
The current population of Africa is 1,380,174,407 based on the latest United Nations estimates.
Vaccine Inequality
On another note, the Africa CDC, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and the United States Mission to the African Union (USAU) called on partners and governments to do more to end vaccine inequity.
Much of the population of Africa is being left behind, even as other parts of the world begin their path to recovery from this deadly pandemic. The deep inequities in vaccine distribution are also linked to the devastating socio-economic impacts of COVID-19.
According to a report released in April 2021, economic disruption is likely to persist in Africa due to COVID-19 restrictions—and the slow pace of vaccine rollouts. Worryingly, Africa has been facing multiple, chronic crises, including poverty and food insecurity, which have been exacerbated by COVID-19.
