COVID-19: The Current Situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Am J Trop Med Hyg
; 103(6): 2168-2170, 2020 Dec.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-869186
ABSTRACT
COVID-19 is a highly contagious disease that has affected all African countries including the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Formidable challenges limit precautionary measures which were instituted by the government to curb the pandemic. Insufficient COVID-19 testing laboratories, limited medical and personal protective equipment, and an inadequate number of health workers leave the country ill-equipped in the fight against the pandemic. Lack of assistance from the government to those who lost their jobs due to lockdown forced these individuals to go outside to find provisions, thus increasing the spread of the virus. Moreover, the fragile healthcare system is overburdened by civil conflicts and other epidemics and endemics amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The conflicts have led to thousands of deaths and hundreds of thousands of displacements and deprived many people of basic health services. The 11th outbreak of Ebola has been increasing at an alarming pace, and it is expected to soar because of a shortfall of funds and insufficient numbers of health workers. The DRC with the cooperation of regional powers needs to address these challenges in a manner similar to that used in the previous Ebola epidemics. Moreover, the government should have a balance in shifting the available resources between COVID-19 and other diseases. Until a vaccine is available, the DRC needs to be prudent when lifting restrictions to prevent explosion of new cases.
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola
/
Ebolavirus
/
Pandemics
/
SARS-CoV-2
/
COVID-19
/
Health Services Accessibility
Type of study:
Observational study
Topics:
Vaccines
Limits:
Humans
Country/Region as subject:
Africa
Language:
English
Journal:
Am J Trop Med Hyg
Year:
2020
Document Type:
Article
Similar
MEDLINE
...
LILACS
LIS