Africa is the only region where COVID-19 cases do not increase: WHO chief

Africa is the only region where COVID-19 cases are not increasing, according to the director general of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom.

Tedros made the remarks in his speech Monday at the Financial Times Africa Summit.

“One of the few encouraging trends is Africa, which has been less affected than other regions and is now the only region where cases are not increasing,” he said.

“The current downward trend is cause for optimism.”

The WHO chief noted that several countries on the continent drew lessons from their fight against other infectious diseases before COVID-19 to help them fight the virus.

Tedros praised Africa’s increased testing capacity, but noted that the continent still has “problems with access to test kits.”

However, he said WHO was working with partners to fill in those gaps.

The 55-year-old man’s comments come as the number of confirmed COVID-19 infections in Africa stood at 1,577,644 with 38,396 deaths, according to the latest data from the African Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Tedros reiterated the WHO position that the pandemic had shown the world that health is not a luxury for humanity, but a basic need.

“Strong health systems and health security are two sides of the same coin,” he said.

“When people have access to quality, affordable treatment and prevention services, businesses and economies can thrive.

“Universal health coverage, based on primary health care, is the foundation for health security, stability and sustainability.”