With the end of year approaching and many African families planning get-togethers, the World Health Organization (WHO) is urging countries to be on high alert for a possible surge in COVID-19 cases.

1. WHO urges greater COVID-19 vigilance in Africa as holidays near
19 November 2020
Brazzaville, 19 November 2020 – With the end of year approaching and many African
families planning get-togethers, the World Health Organization (WHO) is urging countries to
be on high alert for a possible surge in COVID-19 cases. This comes as nearly 20 countries in
the region experience an uptick in cases.
After reporting a downward trend then a plateau, Africa has been experiencing a rise in
cases since early October. Unlike the first wave of cases which was triggered by hotspots in
Southern Africa, the latest increase is driven by the North African region, where
temperatures are beginning to fall.
In the 47 countries in the WHO African Region, 19 countries have reported over a 20%
increase in new cases in the past 28 days compared with the previous four weeks. However,
17 countries are also reporting a more than 20% drop in the number of new cases over the
past 28 days, compared with the previous four weeks. There have also been increased
reports of health worker infections and deaths, particularly among more experienced health
workers.
Large group gatherings and mobility have been identified as risk factors for increasing the
spread of COVID-19 and the approaching holiday season can promote these risks, leading to
super spreader events.
“As we near the time of year when people get on the move to spend their holidays together,
there is a bigger risk of COVID-19 transmission,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional
Director for Africa. “New clusters of cases can emerge in places that have so far been
unaffected as people travel or gather for festivities. But we can lower the risks by wearing
masks, limiting the numbers of people who come together, observing physical distancing
and practicing good hand hygiene. We can celebrate yet do so safely.”
WHO is urging Member States to conduct risk assessments at the subnational level and
identify areas of high risk. Based on this analysis local governments can adjust their public
health measures accordingly and be agile in their decision-making. WHO is helping prepare
for a potential rise in hospital admission by training additional contact tracers and clinicians
to better handle cases, ensuring crucial supplies are on hand and boosting screening at
border crossing points.
WHO has identified a worrying trend of disregarding safety measures among populations.
As part of an effort to re-energize key public health measures, WHO is launching the “Mask
Up, Not Down” campaign today. The campaign aims to reach over 40 million young people
in Africa with positive messages on the correct use of masks through social media, and to

2. combat complacency, fatigue and misunderstanding around COVID-19 prevention
measures.
“In the face of COVID-19, complacency can be dangerous,” said Dr Moeti. “At this critical
moment as Africa begins to see an uptick in cases, we need to re-energize and recommit to
wearing masks. I know many are finding the public health measures cumbersome, but
without action from everyone, Africa risks a new surge in COVID-19 cases.”
WHO urges governments to invest in engaging communities and winning their buy-in and
support for life-saving public health measures. Only by ensuring people in cities, districts
and villages in Africa are committed of fighting COVID-19 will we overcome the pandemic.
Dr Moeti spoke during a virtual press conference today facilitated by APO Group. She was
joined by Mr Prosper Zo’o Minto’o, Regional Director for Western and Central Africa,
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO); Professor Salim S. Abdool Karim, Director
Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa and Co-Chair of the Ministerial
Advisory Committee on COVID-19 and Professor of Global Health, Department of
Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University.