With coronavirus case counts climbing and vaccination efforts lagging in some African nations, regional officials of the World Health Organization issued a warning on Thursday against lax enforcement of public health measures to curb the pandemic on the continent. Precautions like mask-wearing, hand-washing and social distancing have declined drastically in many countries as people become inured to the pandemic and government officials push for a return to normal life, Dr. Pamela Mitula, an epidemiologist and vaccine specialist with the W.H.O.’s regional office for Africa, said at a news conference. And many countries have eased Covid-19 policies in recent months, including fully reopening schools and universities, dropping mask mandates, permitting large election rallies and suspending test requirements for travelers arriving from abroad. “On this apathy, what we would say is that countries should really be encouraged and reminded that the pandemic is far from over,” Dr. Mitula said. “They need to be vigilant.”

Source: The North Africa Journal July 14, 2022 20:06 UTC