Official websites use. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author s and the copyright owner s are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms. Many local governments and various stakeholders have stepped up efforts for early detection and management of COVID This mini review highlights the current trend in Africa, history and general epidemiological information on the virus.
Current ongoing efforts e. The review concludes by emphasizing the need for public health infrastructure development e. Additionally, regular public health educational campaigns are urgently required. Future epidemiological studies to ascertain case fatality and mortality trends across the continent for policy directions are necessary.
The recent novel coronavirus COVID pandemic has speedily escalated from China to other geographical boundaries, including Africa 1 , 2. The initial ill-conceived thoughts that Africa is not conducive for the virus and that Africans have strong immune systems to combat the virus have been debunked with multiple confirmed cases 3.
The swift rise of the pandemic across the continent is worrisome and has created a serious public health threat. This mini review provides the history and general epidemiological information on the virus as well as current trends in Africa.
COVID originated from a group of coronaviruses with RNA genome ranging from 60 nanometer [nm]to nm in diameter with spike-like projections sprouting on a crown-like feature under the microscope; hence its coveted name coronavirus. SARS originated through zoonotic transmission of a novel coronavirus from bats through palm civets in markets in Guangdong Province, China from to MERS also emerged from zoonotic transmission of a group of viruses that had previously been detected in bats and cultured from respiratory secretions of a patient who had died from SARS in 7.
