Coronavirus Africa news summary: Wednesday 24 June

5 million Covid-19 recoveries

South African journalist Peter Ndoro focusing on the level of global recoveries.

Bank of Central African States says region's 2020 GDP to shrink 5.9%

The Bank of Central African States (BEAC) on Wednesday said it expected the region's gross domestic product to shrink 5.9% this year due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic and a slump in global oil prices.

The bank has also decided to keep its key interest rate on hold at 3.25%, it said in a statement. Its outlook follows the International Monetary Fund's forecast of a deeper-than-expected recession in Sub-Saharan Africa this year.

CORONAVIRUS

What you need to know about the first vaccine trials in Africa

What you need to know about the first vaccine trials in Africa

South Africa joins the countries in which a potential vaccine for COVID-19 will be tested.

South Africa rolls out continent's first trials for COVID-19 vaccine

Oxford University rolled out Africa's first human trials for a potential vaccine against the new coronavirus in South Africa on Wednesday, as cases continue to rise and concerns grow over potential access to life-saving treatments.

The trial, conducted with local partner University of the Witwatersrand, will consist of 2,000 volunteers from 18 to 65 years of age, including some HIV positive patients, who will be monitored for 12 months after vaccination to asses how well the vaccine guards against COVID-19.

“This is a landmark moment for South Africa and Africa at this stage of the Covid-19 pandemic. As we enter winter in South Africa and pressure increases on public hospitals, now more than ever we need a vaccine to prevent infection by Covid-19,” Shabir Madhi, a professor of vaccinology at University of the Witwatersrand who is leading the South African trials, said.

South Africa registered 100,000 cases the other days and they have counted over 4,000 cases a day for the last number of days.

A graphic visualisation of Africa's coronavirus cases.

Coronavirus

Situation worsens in Nigeria as 13 lawmakers test positive for covid-19

Almost half the lawmakers in one state House of Assembly

Making sure everyone is covered

Critical opinion piece in the Guardian on the method in which rich countries and big pharma companies attempt to ensure vaccines reach the world's poorest people. How will it work for covid-19?

Nigeria update

Nigeria recorded 452 fresh coronavirus cases over the last 24 hours, according to government figures. 

All African countries now have coronavirus lab testing capacity 

(Reuters) All African countries have now developed laboratory capacity to test for the coronavirus, the head of the World Health Organization said on Wednesday. 

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus also warned that the pandemic was accelerating.

"The most recent one million cases of Covid-19 were reported in just one week," Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said during a virtual conference on Covid-19 vaccine development and access across the continent.

The WHO chief added that over 220 vaccine candidates are currently being worked on and urged that a vaccine be "available and developed at an unprecedented scale."

South Africa Covid-19 vaccine trial to start

South Africa will this week roll out a trial of the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 drug, developed by the Oxford Jenner Institute, on a test group of 2,000 people.  

SA cases projected to reach 400,000 by mid-July

Buses are seen as stranded commuters wait for transportation at a bus terminal during a protest by taxi operators over the government's financial relief for the taxi industry, amid the coronavirus lockdown, in Soweto, South Africa. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko

Egypt lifts curfew, Saudi Arabia bans foreign Muslims

(Reuters) Egypt will from Saturday lift a night-time curfew that had been imposed since March 25, the prime minister's media adviser said on Tuesday while Saudi Arabia is to limit the number of domestic pilgrims attending the haj to around 1,000, after barring Muslims abroad from the rite for the first year in modern times.

Africa latest updates

According to the latest figures, there are now over 318,000 confirmed coronavirus cases on the continent, with more than 8,000 fatalities. The number of recovered patients has risen to over 150,000. 

SA cases top 100,000

As the tally from positive cases in South Africa passes the 100,000 mark, experts warn that the nation is still expected to see this figure rise with the country being the hardest hit nation on the continent.

Nigeria government passes on repatriation costs to evacuees

Nigerians stranded in South Africa due to Covid-19 travel restrictions are set to be evacuated back home at the cost of between $840 to $1350.

The cost of evacuation is despite the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation announcing on May 19 to use N1bn raised to pay for the evacuation of about 4,000 Nigerians abroad, who have indicated interest in returning home.

Coronavirus

The unemployment rate in South Africa soars to 30% as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic

Unemployment figures in South Africa have recently risen sharply as the country feels the economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Covid-19

Coronavirus: the complete guide to the Covid-19 pandemic

In this guide you’ll find a summary of many of the recommendations and explanations provided by the World Health Organization (WHO) and other public health authorities, along with answers to many of the most frequently asked questions about the coronavirus.

Coronavirus Africa live updates: welcome

Good morning and welcome to our live, Africa-focused coverage of the coronavirus pandemic, which has now registered over 9.2 million cases worldwide.