COVID-19 : Africa has higher recovery rate than North America

Data obtained from Worldometer has shown that Africa has recorded a higher percentage of COVID-19 recoveries than North America.

According to COVID-19 figures for Monday, May 25, the entire continent had, at the time of writing this report, recorded 113,990 cases.

Out of this number, 46,378 had recovered – a ratio of 40.7 per cent. On the other hand, North America has identified 1,880,853 positive cases, 562,629 of them had recovered – 29.9 per cent.

North America is made up of the USA, which has more than one million COVID-19 cases and 99,300 deaths, Mexico, Canada, and a host of small Island nations.

The African continent also has a higher percentage of recovered cases than South America, which is now the present epicentre of the pandemic.

Most of its 633,783 cases are from Brazil. The continent has reported 242,207 recoveries, a percentage of 38.2. Europe with 46.5 per cent, Asia with 58 per cent and Oceania with 92.7 per cent recovery, all rank better than Africa however.

On the killing rate of the virus per continent, Africa – 3.0 per cent, has a lower ratio than Europe 8.9 per cent, North America – 6.1 per cent and South America – 5.0 per cent.

Many deaths linked to COVID-19 have, however, not been recorded across these continents. Oceania with a death rate of 1.4 per cent and Asia with 2.8 per cent, have recorded fewer deaths per infection than all other regions of the world.

Despite Africa having a higher recovery rate than the Americas, its input in the WHO solidarity drug trial is next to nothing.

The global health body is testing these drug combinations for the treatment of COVID-19: Rendesivir; tested in the USA, Ritonavir and Lopinavir, first tested in China, Chloroquine and Hydroxychloroquine, first studied In France and China.

The scientists who conducted the first trial of Ritonavir and Lopinavir on infected Coronavirus patients found that it did not provide ‘significant benefit in patients admitted with severe COVID-19.’

The WHO and Western governments have neglected the adaptation of herbal therapies, despite the protocols for the use of certain natural treatments.

Experts have also accused governments across the globe, of failing to conduct clinical trials on known natural antiviral solutions, making it difficult to determine their dosage levels.

Two researchers, Alberto Boretti and Binal Banik, wrote in a paper calling for clinical trials to be conducted on the efficacy of Vitamin C. in treating COVID-19 that.

“Many physicians in China have identified promising results using IV – intravenous Vit-C against COVID-19. Thus, there is a need to urgently review the uses of IV Vit-C, pre- and post-infection, and during different stages of the infection. IV Vit-C is helping to develop a stronger immune system response, reducing the cytokines storm, or increasing antiviral activities through other unknown mechanisms,” the report read.

A team of scientists in Chin, have also started a trial on the natural antiviral alternative, saying their results will be out by September.

Yet, Ascorbic acid has not been adopted into the WHO’s fast-tracked solidarity COVID-19 drug trial programme.

UN Sec-Gen hails Africa's response to COVID-19

United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has described Africa’s response to the Coronavirus outbreak as remarkable.

Guterres in a statement said most African countries have moved rapidly to deepen regional coordination, deploy health workers and enforce quarantines, lockdowns and border closures as measures to tackle the virus. The statement said,

“The African continent’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic has provided valuable lessons for the rest of the world in meeting this challenge. Most African countries have moved rapidly to deepen regional coordination, deploy health workers and enforce quarantines, lockdowns and border closures.

Governments and health authorities are also drawing on the experience of HIV/AIDS and Ebola to debunk rumours and overcome mistrust of officials, security forces and health workers.

Nonetheless, continued vigilance and preparedness are critical as the virus remains a threat to life, livelihoods and health across the continent.

Many countries across the continent have enjoyed strong economic growth in recent years. Standards of living have risen; the digital revolution has taken hold; and the African Continental Free Trade Area is moving from vision to reality.

This is now at risk, as COVID-19 aggravates long-standing inequalities and deepens hunger, malnutrition and vulnerability to disease. Millions could be pushed into extreme poverty. Tourism, remittances and demand for Africa’s commodities are already declining, and the opening of the trade zone has been delayed.

The United Nations, and I personally, stand in total solidarity with the people and governments of Africa, and with the African Union, in tackling COVID-19. UN agencies, country teams, peacekeeping operations and humanitarian workers are providing training, expertise and other support. United Nations solidarity flights have delivered millions of test kits, respirators and other supplies.

The policy brief just issued by the United Nations calls for urgent international action to strengthen Africa’s health systems, maintain food supplies, support education, protect jobs, keep households and businesses afloat, and cushion the continent against lost income and export earnings”.

The UN Chief said since the start of the pandemic, he has called for a global response package amounting to at least 10 per cent of the world’s Gross Domestic Product. In his words,

“For Africa, that means more than $200 billion as additional support from the international community. I also continue to advocate a comprehensive debt framework -- starting with an across-the-board debt standstill for countries unable to service their debt, followed by targeted debt relief and a comprehensive approach to structural issues in the international debt architecture to prevent defaults.

It will also be essential for African countries to sustain their efforts to silence the guns and address violent extremism – and I welcome African support for my call for a global ceasefire. Political processes and elections in the coming months offer potential milestones for stability and peace.

And African countries, like all countries, must have quick, equal and affordable access to any eventual vaccine and treatment for COVID-19. These must be considered global public goods.

Women will be central to every aspect of the response. Stimulus packages must prioritize putting cash in the hands of women, increasing social protection and targeting them for grants and loans. Creating jobs, training and educational opportunities for Africa’s young people must be another central goal.

Many difficult decisions will need to be taken as the pandemic unfolds; it will be essential for governments and health authorities to build and retain the trust and participation of their citizens. The response to this pandemic must be based on respect for human rights, the rule of law and the dignity and equality of all.

These are still early days for the pandemic in Africa, and disruption could escalate quickly and spread uncontrollably. Global solidarity with Africa is an imperative – now, and for recovering better.”