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1 1 (August 20, 2020)

handle is hein.crs/govdbls0001 and id is 1 raw text is: 01;0 Updated August 20, 2020 Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): Impact in Africa As of August 2020, confirmed COVID-19 cases and deaths per capita in Sub-Saharan Africa (Africa) continued to lag other regions. Cases also remained concentrated in a handful of countries, led by South Africa (Figure 1)- which has conducted the most COVID-19 tests by far although cases were rising quickly in many locations. In general, World Health Organization (WHO) scientists have predicted that COVID-19 may spread more slowly in Africa than in some regions due to social and environmental factors, including poor transportation infrastructure. At the same time, cases are likely underreported, as testing has been hampered by capacity constraints and the refusal of a few governments to track or publish data. Low death rates may be attributable to Africa's young populations, although the full effects of COVID-19 comorbidity with conditions such as HIV/AIDS and malnutrition remain to be seen. Figure I. Total Confirmed Cases and Deaths in Africa As 8/17,2020 % of Cases %of Deaths (Total cases: 914,540) (Total deaths: 18,139) South South Africa 64.2% Africa 65.3% Nigeria S.4% Nigeria 5,4% Ghana 4.7 % Sudan 4.4% Kenya 33%h Ethiopia 2,9% _ Ethiopia 3.3%Y 'ZZZ Kenya 2,6% Other 19% -Other 194% Source: CRS graphic, based on analysis by Research Assistant Sarah Collins of data from WHO Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Dashboard. The pandemic has further weakened Africa's already fragile health systems, sickening thousands of local health workers and disrupting efforts to prevent and contain other diseases such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, measles, and polio. Preventive measures such as distancing and frequent handwashing may not be viable for those without access to clean water and sanitation, or in crowded urban areas, prisons, or camps for displaced persons and refugees. As of late 2019, more than 24 million Africans were displaced due to conflicts and natural disasters, and Africa hosted 26% of the world's refugees, according to U.N. figures. The regional economic impact of the pandemic has been severe, due to a drop in global demand for key African natural resource exports (such as oil, natural gas, and certain minerals), the disruption of global trade and tourism, and the impact of local lockdown measures. Remittances from African workers abroad have also withered. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and others expect the region to register its sharpest economic contraction in decades. The World Bank estimated in June that 26 to 39 million more Africans could fall into extreme poverty due to the pandemic (+6-9%). The World Food Program (WFP) has warned of a hunger pandemic in Africa, where food insecurity was already widespread. African Gvrmn epne Public Health Responses. Despite capacity challenges, many African governments quickly ramped up disease surveillance, case isolation, contact tracing, and behavior change measures in early 2020, drawing on lessons from managing other infectious disease outbreaks (e.g., Ebola and tuberculosis). In March 2020, most countries imposed restrictions on air travel, border crossings, large gatherings, nonessential businesses, and, in some cases, domestic transit. Some imposed curfews. Starting in late April, many African governments began to loosen constraints on religious services, markets, transportation, and the education sector. Some countries have since re-imposed some restrictions in response to spikes in cases (e.g., South Africa), while others have continued to reopen gradually. Several countries have pursued innovative responses to the pandemic. For example, Senegalese institutions have collaborated with a British firm and private foundations to develop and produce an inexpensive rapid COVID-19 test kit. Rwanda and Ghana are using drones to deliver medical supplies to rural areas. South African cell phone firms have supported the creation of a telemedicine system. The African Union's Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC, founded in 2015 with U.S. and Chinese support) has helped build local capacity to detect and respond to COVID-19 by training lab, medical, and immigration personnel, and by providing test materials, medical equipment, and other health commodities (e.g., personal protective equipment or PPE). In June, the Africa CDC launched the non-profit Africa Medical Supplies Platform to support pooled purchases of medical and sanitary materials, with the aim to reduce costs, ease procurement, and overcome trade and supply disruptions. Economic Responses. Most African governments have reallocated budget resources, instituted economic stimulus measures (e.g., tax relief or loan guarantees), and initiated targeted aid for their most vulnerable citizens. U.N. agencies, private firms, local civic organizations, and diaspora groups have supported some efforts. Many central banks have acted to increase liquidity. Overall, however, most African governments lack sufficient domestic resources to import medical equipment, cushion local economies, and build up food stocks. A number of African leaders have appealed for new donor aid and/or debt relief to support pandemic response and economic recovery. Governance Implications. Several heads of state have invoked emergency executive powers to respond to COVID-19. Security forces have injured or killed civilians in some countries while enforcing lockdowns or responding to protests spurred by pandemic-related hardships (e.g., in Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, and Uganda). 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