WHO Director Warns of Dangerous Coronavirus Crisis in Africa

April 11, 2020 (EIRNS)—World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a press briefing in Geneva yesterday that the coronavirus pandemic appears to be slowing down in various European states, although it is dangerously expanding in Africa.

“In the past week, we’ve seen a welcome slowing in some of the hardest-hit countries in Europe, like Spain, Italy, Germany, and France. At the same time, we’ve seen an alarming acceleration in other countries. I want to take a moment to highlight Africa, where we are seeing the spread of the coronavirus to rural areas. We are now seeing clusters of cases and community spread in more than 16 countries,”

he warned, according to TASS.

“We anticipate severe hardship for already overstretched health systems, particularly in rural areas, which normally lack the resources of those in cities,” said Dr. Tedros, who is from Ethiopia. He stressed that strong support to Africa must be expedited “even though the numbers in Africa are still relatively small but accelerating.”

“I know that some countries are already planning the transition out of stay-home restrictions. WHO wants to see restrictions lifted as much as anyone,” he continued. “At the same time, lifting restrictions too quickly could lead to a deadly resurgence. The way down can be as dangerous as the way up if not managed properly.”