COVID-19 cases plummeting in Africa first time since Omicron wave: WHO
A person receives a vaccine dose at a correctional centre in Johannesburg
Cases ofCOVID-19have plummeted inAfricaand deaths are declining for the first time since the Omicron-dominated fourth wave of the virus reached its peak, the UN said Thursday.
Describing the 56-day flareup asAfrica's "shortest upsurge yet," the World Health Organization's African regional office said newly reported cases fell by 20 per cent in the week to Sunday, while notified deaths dropped by eight per cent.
In a statement issued after a weekly press briefing, the office also said SouthAfrica, where the Omicron variant was first detected, had seen cases trending downward over the past four weeks.
Also Read:US government to distribute 400 million Covid N95 masks for free
Only NorthAfricareported an increase in cases last week, "with a 55 per cent spike", it said.
Matshidiso Moeti, theWHO's regional director forAfrica, warned however: "The continent has yet to turn the tablesonthis pandemic. So long as the virus continues to circulate, further pandemic waves are inevitable."
)
American blogger Perez Hilton, covered in blood, cuts himself during livestream, hospitalized after distressing incident
)
The Royals enter the Doctor Who universe: King Charles and Queen Camilla beam into Commonwealth Games in TARDIS
)
'I was almost trafficked in Paris,' says Australian woman, shares terrifying ordeal - 'I am on the black market'
)
Who is Tewolde Gebremariam? Air India appoints former Ethiopian Airlines chief as CEO
)
India avoids higher US tariff, secures lower 10% rate. Here's how
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Pradeep Rawat died at 74: Revisit the unforgettable roles that defined his career
)
Ceaser Gastelum killed during TikTok livestream: What was his last recording?
)
Mark Zuckerberg apologises to Indian government over harmful content, platform errors amid PM video row
)
Sajeeb Wazed raises Indian security concerns, calls Bangladesh a 'failed state'
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Who is Shreya Kalra? Meet the social media star who lifted the Lock Upp 2 trophy
)
The genetic roots of Tamils: 75,000 DNA markers decoded in latest study of Sangam-era settlement
)
'Crass, cheap and deeply derogatory:' Internet slams Udhayanidhi Stalin over his 'double-meaning' remark on Trisha
)
Trump says Iranian school bombing photos could be AI-generated - 'I don’t think...'
)
'Dhoni Made Fleming Great': Panesar says ECB made the wrong choice for England Test coach
)
Childhood home of Neil Armstrong up for sale | Gravitas
)
Ex top Pakistan official blames economic woes on China: Here's how CPEC became a failure
)
‘Pakistan called for ceasefire, we kept them waiting’: Ex-CDS Anil Chauhan recalls Operation Sindoor
)
Munir-protege Mohsin Naqvi’s claim of unearthing huge scam triggers tremors in Pakistan’s power corridors
)
Influencer killed on livestream: Mexican cartel boss' son asked dad to kill woman who broke up with him
)
Pentagon draws up new nuclear strategy in the event of war with Russia and China
)
What’s happening in Nepal? How did a local clash turn into communal violence? WION Decodes
)
Scientists find descendants of ancient sea creatures trapped under Antarctica's Blood Falls
)
Venezuela’s oil exports to India surge, restoring its role as a key energy supplier
)
Strait of Hormuz deal with Oman being ‘finalised’: Iran’s foreign ministry
)
CJP's Saurav Das alleges YouTubers broke into his house, seeks Delhi Police action
)
$1.3 trillion vanished from chip stocks in days and demand never fell
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why Russian tanks are much lighter compared to US tanks
)
‘Disputes could help ousted forces make comeback’: Bangladesh PM warns ahead of Sheikh Hasina’s Delhi PC
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Lock Upp season 2: Most dramatic and viral moments that kept fans hooked
)
Nvidia just put $5 billion into a company that has never shipped a product
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
New OTT releases this week (August 3-9, 2026): Main Vaapas Aaunga, Uyir, Operation Safed Sagar- 6 titles coming on Netflix, Prime Video and more
)
Donald Trump calls Abdul El-Sayed a 'communist loser', seeks FBI probe into Michigan primary
)
Did military GPS jamming cause a plane to crash in New Mexico? Here's what a report says
)
Ghajini villain Pradeep Rawat passes away at 74 after battle with cancer
She said the world's poorest continent should "not only broaden vaccinations, but also gain increased and equitable access to criticalCovid-19 therapeutics to save lives and effectively combat this pandemic.”
Only 10 per cent of the African population are fully vaccinated, according to theWHO.
The continent, with a population of 1.2 billion, has been relatively unscathed by the pandemic, reporting 234,913 deaths from 10.5 million cases, according to AFP tallies.