Coronavirus is not only affecting Europe and America it is also making headway in Africa, as over 23,872 people have died from the virus, of which 69 are from Sierra Leone, according to Johns Hopkins University tracker on the virus. The deadly virus which started in China in December 2019 has resulted to over 20,554,691 infections with over 746,674 deaths globally. South Africa happens to be the most hit country on the continent with over 566,109 infections with 10,751 deaths, followed by Egypt with over 95,834 infections and 5,059 deaths.
In West Africa, Nigeria has recorded the highest number of infections with 47,290 followed by Ghana with 41,404, including 956 and 215 casualties respectively. Sierra Leone has recorded over 1,917 infections with 69 deaths. Currently the country’s number of deaths has surpassed Guinea with 50 casualties and Gambia with 32. So far coronavirus has affected over 200 countries and territories in the world. Among the affected African nations, Western Sahara has been the least with 10 confirmed cases and one death, followed by Seychelles with over 125 cases and zero deaths.
Despite the over one million confirmed cases in Africa, and over 20 million globally, the virus’ recovery rate has been a huge success for the world as a whole. Presently global recovery from the scourge stands at over 13,491,500, of which over 758,294 are from Africa, including over 1,478 from Sierra Leone. MJB/13/08/2020
By Mohamed J. Bah