Brace yourselves – the worst is still to come.
That is the World Health Organization’s warning to African countries as the Covid-19 Delta variant continues to spread across the continent.
The WHO is urging African countries to adhere to safety measures as they prepare for fresh vaccine rollouts to curb the spread of the virus.
The WHO said that the last week of June was the worst week ever in terms of coronavirus infections in Africa.
Africa regional director Dr Matsidisho Moeti said new infections across Africa are doubling every 18 days. The peak of the third wave could still be weeks away.
In some countries, such as Namibia and Tunisia, hospitals are struggling to cope.
With less than 2% of the continent’s population fully vaccinated, many still remain at risk of becoming severely ill with the disease.
But the WHO is optimistic that donations from the US and other countries through the Covax initiative will help countries boost vaccination campaigns.
