Africa could become the next epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak, the World Health Organization (WHO) is warning.
United Nations is also warning that the pandemic will kill over 300,000 Africans and push over 30,000,0000 people into poverty.
Over 1,000 Covid19 deaths have been reported, 19,000 have contracted the disease.
The UN Economic Commission for Africa – which warned 300,000 could die – called for a $100bn (£80bn) safety net for the continent, including halting external debt payments.
The WHO says the virus appears to be spreading away from African capitals to rural areas. Most rural areas in Africa lack clean water and health facilities. They warn this would be a disaster if the virus finds its way in rural areas.The continent lacks ventilators to deal with a pandemic.
More than a third of Africa’s population lacks access to adequate water supplies and nearly 60% of urban dwellers live in overcrowded slums – conditions where the virus could thrive.
