Leveraging Africa’s preparedness towards the next phase of the COVID-19 pandemic

Type Journal Article Author Madikay Senghore Author Merveille K Savi Author Bénédicte Gnangnon Author William P Hanage Author Iruka N Okeke URL https://www.thelancet.com/pdfs/journals/langlo/PIIS2214-109X(20)30234-5.pdf Series Comment Volume 8 Publication The Lancet Global Health Date 14/05/2020 DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(20)30234-5 Language en Abstract The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) response in many African countries has been swift, progressive, and adaptable, despite resource limitations.1 As the novel coronavirus infection spread through Wuhan (China) in January, 2020, African countries rapidly acquired de novo severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) testing capacity so that by March, most could confirm COVID-19. Airport screening began early and efforts to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 have typically emphasised case identification, contact tracing and isolation, handwashing and hand hygiene, and several social distancing and stay-at-home measures with, in some cases, lockdowns of exceedingly high risk areas (appendix). These strategies are likely to remain integral to disease mitigation until an effective vaccine is deployed or population immunity is sufficient to slow transmission. However, the application of COVID-19 mitigation strategies in sub-Saharan Africa needs careful and continued deliberation because of the unique socioeconomic dynamics in this region. In this Comment, we discuss some of these challenges and suggest potential, non-resource-intensive solutions.