key: cord-0958009-55gnsjnz
authors: Okereke, Melody
title: Spread of the Delta Coronavirus Variant: Africa Must Be on Watch
date: 2021-10-29
journal: Public Health Pract (Oxf)
DOI: 10.1016/j.puhip.2021.100209
sha: 5d58f3b50bd2d51d96a4d82ac946e2391db9eeda
doc_id: 958009
cord_uid: 55gnsjnz

nan

especially in Eastern and Southern Africa, are facing unprecedented overcrowding in their hospital isolation units, rendering them incapacitated to provide adequate healthcare services. 5 Owing to the low vaccination coverage throughout the continent, the current wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Africa is presumed to be more catastrophic than past surges. It would be an understatement to say that the current surge of COVID-19 infections and deaths across numerous African countries is alarming. The acute lack of sufficient COVID-19 vaccines throughout the continent demonstrates the gross inequity that lies in access to public health interventions. COVID-19 vaccination programmes are progressing well in high-income countries (HICs), and life is returning to normal; however, in some low-and middle-income countries, the pandemic is wreaking new waves of havoc. 1 The emergence of the Delta variant distinguishes this third wave from the first two. The increased transmissibility and mortality of the delta variant is particularly concerning, especially in a continent where fewer than 1% of the total population has been partially vaccinated. 1 Undoubtedly, a health disaster is looming. If countries had received more vaccine doses faster and earlier, this could have been prevented.

The recent situation in India is glaring, and it's a terrifying situation. Just like India, health systems throughout the continent are very fragile and at risk of becoming rapidly overburdened. 4 This is already the reality in countries such as South Africa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Namibia and Uganda, where shortages of intensive care unit (ICU) beds and oxygen have been reported. 5 The disparity between high-income and low-and middle-income countries when it comes to vaccine access and availability cannot be overlooked any longer. Long-term solutions include boosting vaccine development and manufacturing capacity in Africa. The recent announcement of the establishment of Africa's first COVID-19 mRNA vaccine technology transfer hub in South Africa is a step in the right direction since it will enable regional vaccine production and address the problem of severe vaccine shortages.

To successfully overcome the colossal impact of this new Delta variant, lessons must be drawn from the COVID-19 pandemic. While countries brace themselves for the Delta variantor wish it to bypass them-Africa must be on the watch for far greater threats. Disease surveillance measures must be intensified at entrance points, and the supply, availability and access to vaccines in the continent should be prioritised. These are necessary to avoid a looming health disaster.

J o u r n a l P r e -p r o o f

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Impact of COVID-19 on access to healthcare in low-and middleincome countries: Current evidence and future recommendations

Africa Faces Looming Health Disaster as COVID-19 Cases Surge, Delta Variant Spreads