The World Health Organization (WHO) on Thursday said it is estimated that the number of deaths on the African continent from the COVID-19 pandemic will fall by nearly 94 percent in 2022 compared to 2021, reported Africa News.
“Our latest analysis suggests that estimated deaths in the African region will shrink to around 60 a day in 2022 … Last year, we lost an average of 970 people every day,” WHO Regional Director for Africa Matshidiso Moeti told a virtual news conference.
According to data from the WHO Africa’s office, Africa had reported over 11.8 million confirmed COVID-19 cases and more than 250,000 deaths as of the end of May.
The latest analysis found that richer countries and southern African nations have had around double the mortality rates of poorer ones in other parts of Africa, partly due to co-morbidities that increase the risk of death.
The analysis report estimates that around 23,000 deaths will be reported by the end of the year, provided no new variants of the virus are reported and transmission patterns remain the same. The findings infer that only one in 71 COVID-19 cases is recorded in Africa and that about one in three deaths have been missed.
The WHO said that the decline in deaths is due to increased vaccination, improved pandemic response, and natural immunity from prior infections.
Moeti said the decline in death numbers expected this year is a great achievement for the African continent and a testament to the efforts of countries and partners. However, she said there is still enough work to be done as the threat of new variants remains real and countries must be prepared to face this ever-present danger.
“Every time we sit back and relax, COVID-19 flares up again,” Moeti told the briefing. “The threat of new variants remains real, and we need to be ready to cope with this ever-present danger.”
