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Africa Braces for Second Coronavirus Wave

Anita Powell

   JOHANNESBURG - As a second wave of coronavirus approaches, Africa has a
   plan, says the continent's top health official.

   In recent weeks, the continent has started to distribute 2.7 million
   rapid antigen tests. By mid-2021, health officials hope to vaccinate 60
   percent of the continent's population with one of the several promising
   new vaccines.

   Now, says Dr. John Nkengasong, director of the Africa Centers for
   Disease Control and Prevention, it's up to the continent's leaders to
   try to make that happen.

   "That will also require that we mobilize up to about $10 to $12 billion
   including the cost of buying the vaccines and the cost of delivering
   the vaccines," he told journalists on Thursday by teleconference. "So
   that is the 60 percent mark that we really want to achieve. And I just
   really want everyone on this platform and our partners to understand
   that as a continent that is aspiration and our goal."

   Dr. Nkengasong added that experts are working to bring more clinical
   trials to the continent. But, he stressed, as COVID-19 numbers rise in
   some countries -- notably, South Africa, Kenya and Algeria-- the
   continent's health facilities appear to be weathering the onslaught.

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