"The death rate in Angola due to covid-19 is certainly among the highest in the African continent, and we are investigating the causes of these differences between countries in Africa, but it is still too early to say the reasons for the mortality to be higher. ", said John Nkengasong during the weekly press conference that reports on the evolution of the covid-19 pandemic on the African continent.
Asked by Lusa about what explains the high mortality rate in Angola, John Nkengasong replied: "The global average is 3.2 percent, in Africa it is 2.4 percent and Angola is not isolated, there are 11 countries that report above-average mortality rates, including the Republic of Sahrawi, with 8 percent, Chad, with 7 percent, and Liberia, Nigeria, Egypt and Mali, all above 5 percent, and Angola, with 4 percent percent ".
Next, Nkengasong added: "We are investigating the causes of these differences on the continent, but first we have to recognize that 80 percent have recovered, and know who they are, why they recovered, this will help to understand what measures and controls are have to be prepared and will influence the question of vaccines ".
On the other hand, he concluded, "we have to know in depth the reasons for the deaths of 33 thousand people, what were the existing diseases, how old they were, if they had tuberculosis, HIV or malaria, for example, we need to know to have a better idea difference in mortality in each country ".
According to the latest data, on Wednesday, Angola has 3675 cases of covid-19, 143 deaths, 1401 recovered and 2131 active, one of whom is in critical condition, and 17 are serious.
In the final comment during this morning's press conference, John Nkengasong defended the need for countries and institutions to collaborate in the whole process and recalled that "the increase in health measures is what will make it possible to combat the virus that has placed our economies on my knees ".
For the director of Africa CDC, "tests continue to be the main tool to fight the pandemic" and the involvement with populations in mapping contagions is essential, but it must be done with "respect for human rights and gaining the confidence of communities ".
This battle against covid-19, he concluded, "forces us to work together for a long time".
