News Releases | WHO | Regional Office for Africa

Jubilant Partners at the handing over ceremony of the donated vaccines

Arrival of Johnson and Johnson Vaccines in The Gambia

24 July 2021

Tuesday, 20^th July 2021 marks yet another significant milestone in the fight against covid-19 epidemic in the Gambia as we witnessed the arrival of One Hundred and Fifty-One Thousand, Two Hundred (151, 200) doses of the Johnson and Jonson (J&J) Vaccine under the COV

Pivotal point in Africa’s COVID-19 third wave

Pivotal point in Africa’s COVID-19 third wave

22 July 2021

Following eight consecutive weeks of a fast-moving surge, new COVID-19 cases in Africa have slowed down, driven by a sharp drop in South Africa which accounts for the bulk of the continent’s reported cases, although this development may be short-lived, new data from the World Health Organization (WHO) shows.

COVID-19 deaths in Africa surge more than 40% over previous week

COVID-19 deaths in Africa surge more than 40% over previous week

15 July 2021

Africa has recorded a 43% week-on-week rise in COVID-19 deaths, as hospital admissions increase rapidly and countries face shortages in oxygen and intensive care beds.

Africa’s COVID-19 surge tops second wave peak as vaccine deliveries pick up

Africa’s COVID-19 surge tops second wave peak as vaccine deliveries pick up

08 July 2021

Africa marked its worst pandemic week ever, surpassing the second wave peak during the seven days ending on 4 July 2021. Yet, as the COVID-19 cases climb sharply, there are signs of progress on vaccine deliveries to the continent.

Rife COVID-19 variants fuel Africa’s surging wave

Rife COVID-19 variants fuel Africa’s surging wave

01 July 2021

As COVID-19 case numbers in Africa climb faster than all earlier peaks, new and faster spreading variants are fuelling the continent’s surging third wave.

Africa faces steepest COVID-19 surge yet

Africa faces steepest COVID-19 surge yet

24 June 2021

Africa is facing a fast-surging third wave of COVID-19 pandemic, with cases spreading more rapidly and projected to soon overtake the peak of the second wave the continent witnessed at the start of 2021.

Ebola outbreak in Guinea declared over

Ebola outbreak in Guinea declared over

19 June 2021

The Ebola outbreak that emerged in Guinea in mid-February was declared over today. It was the first time the disease resurfaced in the country since the deadly outbreak in West Africa that ended in 2016.

COVID-19 cases surge in Africa, near first wave peak

COVID-19 cases surge in Africa, near first wave peak

17 June 2021

COVID-19 cases in Africa are surging by over 20% week-on-week as the continent's third wave gains pace and nears the first wave peak of more than 120 000 weekly cases recorded in July 2020, new data from the World Health Organization (WHO) shows.

Drop in blood donations add to maternal health threats in Africa

Drop in blood donations add to maternal health threats in Africa

14 June 2021

Just half of the blood needed for transfusion each year in the African region is collected, leaving many facing life-threatening shortages. The COVID-19 pandemic has further worsened the shortfall, with donations dropping by 17% over the past year.

Blood donation rate falls in Africa in wake of COVID-19 pandemic

Blood donation rate falls in Africa in wake of COVID-19 pandemic

14 June 2021

Blood donation has fallen by 17% in the African region in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic that has caused widespread disruptions to key health services, lives and livelihoods.