Analyzing the ultimate impact of COVID-19 in Africa

Abstract

The Covid-19 pandemic has spread quickly across the globe in late 2019 and this has continued into 2020, causing a complete closure of daily routines, depleting global resources and, in extreme cases, causing loss of life. In Africa, with its hot climate, decision makers try to get people to their work as health care professionals or sometimes access health care facilities. For the peak four months; April, May, June, and July, the virus appeared, spread, and began to decrease. This study aims at analyzing the direct impact of Covid-19 in Africa according to the available data until July 2020. It provides statistics and policies prepared by African countries for this pandemic with the aid of other developed countries’ experiences. From studying such applicable policies, it can be seen in a number of cases that lockdown restrictions, school and workplace closures, and limitations to the internal movement have the chief effect of reducing virus spread. Change in travel behavior and number of visitors appear in response to such a crisis. Regarding the potential economic repercussions in the studied period, GDP shows a sharp drop of 3.4%, appearing as a reduction of 6% on the price of oil, reducing the number of tourists by 46%, and causing fluctuations in currency. These suggest a mutual influence between the crisis and the transport sector.

Real-Time Impact of COVID-19 on Clinical Care and Treatment of Patients with Tuberculosis: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

“…Transport disruption, particularly in the partial lockdown period, was among the main barriers for the TB patients, limiting their access to healthcare facilities thereby missing follow-up visits. The finding was in agreement with previous studies conducted in Ethiopia [11,39,[41][42][43] and elsewhere in Africa [44][45][46][47][48] that COVID-19 lockdowns had a significant impact on patients' access to transportation to healthcare facilities. In the case of TB medication follow-up visits, direct-observed therapy procedure necessitates patients' daily visits to healthcare facilities for medication intake this procedure is susceptible to transport disruptions [6,39,40].…”

The COVID-19 pandemic and healthcare systems in Africa: a scoping review of preparedness, impact and response

“… 54 This was evident from the number of countries that could undertake laboratory tests increased from only 2 (South Africa and Senegal) in January 2020 to 33 in a few months following the advent of the pandemic in the region. 55 Some countries achieved this by re-purposing existing research laboratories, diagnostic tools and reagents previously used for other infectious diseases. 56 57 However, disruption in the supply chain of highly needed resources such as PPE and increased global demand 58 59 meant vast shortages of such equipment in many countries globally, including African countries.…”

“…These being the case, the late introduction of COVID-19 into the African continent has offered an opportunity for the region to develop testing and treatment capabilities strategies 54. This was evident from the number of countries that could undertake laboratory tests increased from only 2 (South Africa and Senegal) in January 2020 to 33 in a few months following the advent of the pandemic in the region 55. Some countries achieved this by re-purposing existing research laboratories, diagnostic tools and reagents previously used for other infectious diseases 56 57.…”

Dealing with impact of COVID-19 on transportation in a developing country: Insights and policy recommendations

“…The study established the greater need for the increased involvement of women in the transport sector both as commuters and transport operators to reach regulatory positions that could limit the consequences of COVID-19 in Africa. Elbany and Elhenawy (2021) found an alteration in travel pattern and behaviour as the most significant influence of COVID-19 in Africa. By altering the existing structure in transporting goods and services, COVID-19 has a magnanimous impact on the mobility of residents and commuters.…”