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ngq, you sexy beast! Here is a sanity check for that clean meta. ;)
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                    [post_date] => 2020-05-10 16:11:22
                    [post_date_gmt] => 2020-05-10 20:11:22
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An article in The Lancet (Has COVID-19 subverted global health?) emphasize the importance of context and equity as key principles of global health. In light of limited financial aid from wealthier countries, the authors urge developing countries to adopt policies that reflect their local context that focus on what is possible, acceptable, just, and sustainable.


What accounts was South Korea’s COVID Secret? Fast Testing, High-Tech Tracing, Zero-Tolerance Isolation (Atlantic)


Lockdown Is a Blunt Tool, We Have a Sharper One: Contact Tracing (NYT)


WHO issues a Technical Guidance on Contact Tracing for COVID-19 in Africa (WHO)


The U.S. can expect a series of ‘mini-epidemics’, as the flattening curve is misleading, as the CIDRP outlines three potential futures: recurring small outbreaks, monster wave, persistent crisis (NYT)


Where the latest models think we are headed and why they disagree (FiveThirtyEight)


Reopening some states can heighten risk of or recurring second waves in others (STAT)


Simulation: Ending restrictions earlier is associated with higher projected cases and deaths, but also quicker economic recovery according to a RAND Corporation online tool


In the New England Journal of Medicine, the authors provide two lessons in the Italian response to the pandemic, highlighting the important of testing of health care workers, and how “urgent and decisive” lockdown of the region earlier could have contain the epidemic (Adaptations and Lessons in the Province of Bergamio)


National Geographic reviews the lessons learned from national responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, including the spread of social mitigation, the effectiveness of travel restrictions, testing and the impact of speed of response on outbreak trajectory (How to measure your nation’s response to coronavirus).


It took the U.S. only seven days to exceed projected COVID-19 deaths for August (Newsweek)


A new paper in the Journal of Risk Research (Resilience in the face of uncertainty) describe how political interference undermined the ability of the U.K. National Health Service with COVID-19 preparedness and response. Similar to the Bank of England, the authors argue that national emergency preparedness requires greater independence.


While the full impact of the pandemic on food security remains unknown, Dr. Rhonda Ferguson (DIGHR Research Fellow) argues that the displacement of localized food systems require transformation in trade to protect the estimated 265 million people threatened by famine (Coronavirus: Another chance to transform the global food trade)


COVID-19 and Globalization (One Health)


Could COVID-19 mark a ‘turning point’ in the climate crisis? (WEF)


Effective transmission across the globe: the role of climate in COVID-19 mitigation strategies (Lancet Planetary Health)


Iran’s locust threats grow amid coronavirus pandemic, sanctions (New Humanitarian)


As the number of cases in Iran top 100,000, the spokesperson for the Health Ministry expressed concern in the “rising trend” over the least three days (Daily Star Lebanon)


Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) Declaration for COVID-19 extended (WHO)


Why we can’t compare country responses to COVID-19: death rates, data and geography (WEF)


                    [post_title] => Snapshot of the State of the Pandemic
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An alarming new report by the ILO estimates that nearly half of the global workforce, more than 1.6 billion people, could lose their livelihoods due to COVID-19 related reductions in global trade and increased lockdown control measures. The report projects that lost income could total US$3.4 trillion this year, as the equivalent of 200 million full-time jobs have or will disappear since the start of the pandemic. The staggering figures include many informal workers that may lack worker benefits or social protection, and push upwards of 500 million people into poverty. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights issued a Guidance for countries to adopt strategies that protection homeless people, as the Special Rapporteur on Extreme Poverty and Human Rights raised the likelihood that extreme poverty will increase for the first time in 20 years that is threatening 40 to 60 million people globally.


With incomes virtually stopping overnight in some countries, the UN Global Network Against Food Crisis warns that as many as 265 million people around the world may suffer from food insecurity and possible starvation. This includes the half a billion smallholder farmers that produce almost 80% of food consumed in Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. Some countries have turned to cash payments to support the poor, including Pakistan where the government announced US$900 million in emergency funds for over 80 million people. Many countries such as Bangladesh are confronted by increasing public protests due to lockdowns. In Malawi, the High Court set aside plans for a COVID-19 lockdown pending a review within seven days, as protestors against the lockdown carried placards declaring that it would be better to contract the virus than die of hunger because they are unable to work. The WHO has also expressed concern of community spread in West Africa, as multiple countries have issued targeted lockdowns and curfews in major cities in addition to restrictions on inter-urban travel, stopping short of nationwide lockdowns.


With a looming recession and ballooning debt obligations in many developing countries, the IMF urged donor countries to support economic stimulus packages to address the immediate and long-term hunger impact. UN OCHA also states that about 700 million people (10% of the world’s population) are most vulnerable and concentrated in about 30 to 40 countries which already receive humanitarian assistance and will see a big drop in incomes as the virus spreads and governments impose restrictive measures and lock downs. They estimate that US$90 billion would be needed to provide income support, protect against starvation, and support a systematic health response for the world’s most vulnerable people. This represents 1% of the approximately US$8 trillion stimulus packages that the IMF states G20 countries have put in place to safeguard their own economies. The World Bank’s Pandemic Emergency Financing Facility will meanwhile provide a modest  $200 million in pandemic bonds to 64 low- and middle-income countries to finance COVID-19 related medical and personal protective equipment, medicines and support for frontline health workers.


                    [post_title] => ‘Incomes Virtually Stopped Overnight’, Threaten Global Food Insecurity
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                    [post_date] => 2020-04-19 11:27:30
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This week, the UN Economic Commission for Africa issued a projection that an estimated 300,000 and 3.3 million African people could lose their lives as a direct result of COVID-19, depending on the intervention that governments introduce. As all 55 African countries are now reporting cases, the Director of the Africa CDC called COVID-19 an existential threat to the continent. Increased local transmission also contributing to exponential growth in some regions, particularly in the 24 countries that have confirmed at least 100 cases. As of this morning, there are almost 1,000 deaths and over 18,500 confirmed cases across Africa, representing a 30% increase over the past week.


                    [post_title] => Director of the Africa CDC calls COVID-19 an existential threat to the continent
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                    [post_date] => 2020-04-19 11:24:30
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The G-20 agreed to freeze poor nations’ debt obligations on 15 April, shortly after nearly 20 European and African leaders made a joint appeal in the Financial Times for a massive international effort to boost Africa’s coronavirus response, saying that “only a global victory that fully includes Africa can bring this pandemic to an end.” France’s President Macron called this “a moral, human duty” and pushed further for debt rescheduling and, in some cases, debt cancellation, saying, “No region can win the battle against COVID-19 alone … if it is not beaten in Africa, it will return to haunt us all.”


                    [post_title] => Debt obligations frozen
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                    [post_date] => 2020-04-19 11:21:30
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                    [post_content] => 
UNICEF has warned that 117 million children could be at risk for measles as countries around the world are suspending national immunization programs in order to reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection. So far, 24 low- and middle-income countries (including 15 in Africa) have paused or postponed national immunization programs, as the head of GAVI urged advanced economies to maintain their funding commitments in the upcoming replenishment cycle.


                    [post_title] => Suspended national immunization programs may put 117 million children at risk of measles
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                    [post_date] => 2020-04-12 10:06:11
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With just 2% of the world’s commercial air traffic, the novel Coronavirus took time to gain a foothold in Africa, but all 55 countries are now reporting cases. As of this morning, there are 13,771 confirmed cases (40% weekly increase) and over 750 deaths across the continent. The Director of the Africa CDC warned that COVID-19 represents an “existential threat for our continent,” as more than 20 countries have now reported at least 100 cases and local transmission is expected to surge over the following week.


South Africa surpassed 2,000 confirmed cases, but has been praised for its proactive response, including early and strong border control and testing measures. The rate of new daily reported cases drastically reduced from 42% two weeks ago to an estimated 4% after the government imposed strict lockdown and border control measures. With expected community transmission, the lockdown has been extended to the end of April, and the government is actively preparing local health systems and rolling out mass testing and screening campaigns with winter approaching.


Northern Africa remains the most affected region, as three countries are approaching 2,000 cases, including Egypt(1,939), Algeria (1,825), and Morocco (1,617). The UN and regional authorities have expressed particular concern over sub-Saharan Africa, as limited diagnostic testing kits and public health surveillance capacity is likely masking and further exacerbating local outbreaks. The African Centre for Strategic Studies has warned that South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan and Nigeria are particularly vulnerable to the spread of COVID-19.


Healthcare workers are also acutely at risk, with 267 confirmed cases. More than 10 countries have also suspended vaccination campaigns, including the DRC where 6,500 children have died of measles since an outbreak was first reported in October 2018.


France is taking an active role in supporting South Africa’s leadership in establishing a comprehensive regional action plan to assist African countries cope with the coronavirus pandemic. The UN Economic Commission for Africa has endorsed France’s proposal to impose a moratorium on African debt, calling for IMF Special drawing Rights of up to US$500 billion.


The UN and regional authorities have expressed particular concern over sub-Saharan Africa, as limited diagnostic testing kits and public health surveillance capacity is likely masking and further exacerbating local outbreaks. Based on a targeted survey of risk factors, the African Centre for Strategic Studies has warned that South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan and Nigeria are particularly vulnerable to the spread of COVID-19.


                    [post_title] => Situation Summary: Africa
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                    [post_date] => 2020-04-12 09:59:11
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                    [post_content] => 
COVID-19 pandemic in west Africa (Martinez-Alvarez et al, Lancet Global Health, 1 April 2020).


Whether warmer temperatures will slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus has been a point of much speculation. This hypothesis has led some European countries to adopt initial policies that rely on decreased transmission rates during the summer months, and the belief that African countries will face smaller epidemics than their European counterparts. No strong evidence base exists for such claims, however. The authors argue that COVID-19 has likely arrived later in west Africa than in Europe, and plot and present data that shows a similar rapid rate of community transmission in West African countries to rates of community transmission in European countries, once a case of COVID-19 has been confirmed. Nine of the25 poorest countries are in the west African region and  have poorly resourced health systems, rendering them unable to quickly scale up an epidemic response. The authors furthermore argue that the impact of a similar COVID-19 epidemic as currently seen in Europe would be devastating in west Africa.


                    [post_title] => Research: COVID-19 pandemic in west Africa
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                    [post_date] => 2020-04-12 09:57:11
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                    [post_content] => 
Amy Maxmen, Nature News, 1 April 2020


https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-00983-9


The threat of a COVID-19 explosion across developing countries continues to grow. While the first dozen cases in Africa were detected in March, the virus likely arrived weeks or months before. Despite the rising incidence of test positive cases, limited testing and contact tracing capacity, political leadership and resource mobilization from donor nations has been lacking, despite calls from the WHO and the UN Secretary General. Many countries face underfunded healthcare systems, unreliable stocks of essential medicines, precarious access to health facilities, and frequent power outages. The Ebola outbreaks also showed that when health systems are overwhelmed by one infectious disease, many often die from a lack of care for malaria, pneumonia and other preventable diseases, as well as care during pregnancy and childbirth. At the same time, case reports from the peak of the epidemic in Wuhan, China suggest that an estimated 2.6 ICU beds were required per 10,000 adults. Italy has less than half that capacity and is overwhelmed. Many low-income countries, including those in sub-Saharan Africa, have less than one ICU bed per million people. Given the lack of well-funded health systems, countries in Africa are focusing on mitigation strategies to prevent COVID-19 from spreading as soon as they confirm their first cases. This includes shutting down most activities with the threat of arrest, rolling out tests to detect genetic sequences from the virus and a willingness to deploy rapid, easy-to-use tests(even if they are not as accurate as PCR tests that require lab capacity), and sequencing the genome of SARS-Cov-2 sampled from Nigeria.


                    [post_title] => How poorer countries are scrambling to prevent a coronavirus disaster
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                    [post_date] => 2020-04-12 09:56:11
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                    [post_content] => 
Reflections by Dr. Andrew Nevin, Price Waterhouse Cooper Nigeria, 5 April 2020


The Dahdaleh Institute invited Dr. Andrew Nevin, a Partner and Chief Economist at PWC Nigeria, to offer his views on core structural imperatives in dealing with COVID-19 in Africa beyond healthcare responses.


In the absence of a climate effect, Dr. Nevin warns African countries are headed for a humanitarian crisis in part due to weak healthcare systems, vulnerable populations, limited risk messaging, overcrowded housing and other difficulties with socially distancing. He anticipates the impacts in Africa could include:


    

  • Significant reduction in daily wages;
    • 

  • Breakdown of food supply chains;
    • 

  • Inability of the public sector to function virtually;
    • 

  • Strong private sector response in managing their businesses;
    • 

  • Confusion about who is in charge, and
    • 

  • Lack of information.
    • 



Based on these anticipated impacts, Dr. Nevin identified the following non-health system related priorities for African countries for COVID-19:


    

  1. Direct transfers to the bottom of the pyramid to replace purchasing power;
    2. 

  2. Ensuring that food supply chains keep working;
    3. 

  3. Getting organized private sector to support the public sector (e.g. national emergency committees as decision-making bodies with government and industry partners);
    4. 

  4. Rapid and coordinated economic support and debt relief by international finance institutions; and
    5. 

  5. Reflect on possible structural change (e.g. economic decentralization) following response
    6. 



                    [post_title] => Commentary: Action Imperatives for COVID-19 in Africa
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                    [post_date] => 2020-04-03 12:36:50
                    [post_date_gmt] => 2020-04-03 16:36:50
                    [post_content] => 
Pandemic activity is increasing rapidly in Africa, with reported cases growing by 185% over the past week. At least 50 countries have reporting more than 7,100 confirmed cases and 289 deaths. South Africa has reported the largest number of cases (1,462), although almost half the continent’s cases are in four Northern Africa countries, including Algeria (986), Egypt (865), Morocco (735) and Tunisia (455). Alongside sporadic imported cases, most countries are also reporting local transmission, which remains a critical risk, with at least 15 countries now reporting more than 100 cases each.


The UN and regional authorities have expressed concern over sub-Saharan Africa, as limited diagnostic testing kits and public health surveillance capacity may be masking and further exacerbate local outbreaks. Healthcare workers are also acutely at risk, with at least 123 confirmed cases. National governments have warned of limited stress tolerance of health systems to the anticipated surge in cases over the next two weeks, requesting urgent support from regional partners and the international community.


                    [post_title] => Stats Summary: Africa
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                    [post_modified] => 2020-08-13 22:42:39
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                    [post_date] => 2020-03-29 10:51:16
                    [post_date_gmt] => 2020-03-28 14:50:16
                    [post_content] => 
At least 46 countries across Africa have reported COVID-19 cases, recording more than 4,136 confirmed cases and 128 deaths.


Five countries are experiencing local transmission: South Africa, Algeria, Burkina Faso, Senegal, and Cameroon. All but six countries in the region have reported local infections in contacts of imported cases. The WHO said many of the cases are still linked to travel and that the region still has a window of opportunity to contain the disease.


South Africa reported more than a quarter of the continent’s cases (1,187), with Northern African countries Egypt (576), Algeria 155 new cases, bringing its total case number to 709. Algeria (302 cases) and Burkina Faso (146 cases) are the other 2 worst-hit countries in the region.


                    [post_title] => Africa may have window of opportunity to contain the disease
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                    [post_modified] => 2020-08-13 22:45:49
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                    [guid] => https://covid19.dighr.org/developments/africa-2/
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            [post_date] => 2020-05-10 16:11:22
            [post_date_gmt] => 2020-05-10 20:11:22
            [post_content] => 
An article in The Lancet (Has COVID-19 subverted global health?) emphasize the importance of context and equity as key principles of global health. In light of limited financial aid from wealthier countries, the authors urge developing countries to adopt policies that reflect their local context that focus on what is possible, acceptable, just, and sustainable.


What accounts was South Korea’s COVID Secret? Fast Testing, High-Tech Tracing, Zero-Tolerance Isolation (Atlantic)


Lockdown Is a Blunt Tool, We Have a Sharper One: Contact Tracing (NYT)


WHO issues a Technical Guidance on Contact Tracing for COVID-19 in Africa (WHO)


The U.S. can expect a series of ‘mini-epidemics’, as the flattening curve is misleading, as the CIDRP outlines three potential futures: recurring small outbreaks, monster wave, persistent crisis (NYT)


Where the latest models think we are headed and why they disagree (FiveThirtyEight)


Reopening some states can heighten risk of or recurring second waves in others (STAT)


Simulation: Ending restrictions earlier is associated with higher projected cases and deaths, but also quicker economic recovery according to a RAND Corporation online tool


In the New England Journal of Medicine, the authors provide two lessons in the Italian response to the pandemic, highlighting the important of testing of health care workers, and how “urgent and decisive” lockdown of the region earlier could have contain the epidemic (Adaptations and Lessons in the Province of Bergamio)


National Geographic reviews the lessons learned from national responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, including the spread of social mitigation, the effectiveness of travel restrictions, testing and the impact of speed of response on outbreak trajectory (How to measure your nation’s response to coronavirus).


It took the U.S. only seven days to exceed projected COVID-19 deaths for August (Newsweek)


A new paper in the Journal of Risk Research (Resilience in the face of uncertainty) describe how political interference undermined the ability of the U.K. National Health Service with COVID-19 preparedness and response. Similar to the Bank of England, the authors argue that national emergency preparedness requires greater independence.


While the full impact of the pandemic on food security remains unknown, Dr. Rhonda Ferguson (DIGHR Research Fellow) argues that the displacement of localized food systems require transformation in trade to protect the estimated 265 million people threatened by famine (Coronavirus: Another chance to transform the global food trade)


COVID-19 and Globalization (One Health)


Could COVID-19 mark a ‘turning point’ in the climate crisis? (WEF)


Effective transmission across the globe: the role of climate in COVID-19 mitigation strategies (Lancet Planetary Health)


Iran’s locust threats grow amid coronavirus pandemic, sanctions (New Humanitarian)


As the number of cases in Iran top 100,000, the spokesperson for the Health Ministry expressed concern in the “rising trend” over the least three days (Daily Star Lebanon)


Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) Declaration for COVID-19 extended (WHO)


Why we can’t compare country responses to COVID-19: death rates, data and geography (WEF)


            [post_title] => Snapshot of the State of the Pandemic
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