Since the outbreak of the novel Coronavirus in Wuhan, China in December 2019, and its declaration as a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) on the 11^th March 2020, the virus has now spread to over 200 countries, without no known cause.

The current situation of the pandemic as at today – Friday, July 17, 2020, puts the total global spread at thirteen million five hundred seventy-five thousand one hundred fifty-eight (13,575,158) of which five hundred eighty-four thousand nine hundred forty (584,940) deaths have been recorded. With this current global spread, Africa has recorded six hundred sixty-three thousand nine hundred fifty-three (663,593) confirmed cases with fourteen thousand three hundred fifty-nine (14,359) recorded deaths, fortunately Africa has recorded three hundred forty-three thousand four hundred eighteen (343,418) recoveries; which shows over 50% recoveries of all confirmed cases. In Africa, South Africa has the leading figures of all confirmed cases – with three hundred twenty-four thousand two hundred twenty-one (324,221) confirmed cases. However, the total confirmed cases as declared by the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) is thirty-four thousand eight hundred fifty-four (34,854), total recorded deaths is seven hundred sixty-nine (769), while a total of fourteen thousand two hundred ninety-two (14,292) recoveries have been recorded. With the current figure from the NCDC, it shows that over 55% of the confirmed cases are still active cases.

Suffice to state, that the reality of Coronavirus (otherwise known as Covid-19) is not in doubt; this is made glaring by the high number of deaths that have been recorded all over the world – particularly in developed societies like America, China, Italy, Spain, etc. However, countries in Africa seem to be lucky for not recording high deaths (as against earlier predictions); even though there is nothing to specifically point to as the ‘lucky charm’.

The economic and social impact of Coronavirus is one aspect of the pandemic that has affected Africans and Nigerians a lot harder than the virus itself. This is because schools have been closed; businesses and offices have been shutdown without any considerable palliative measure. Thus, the economic and social lockdown has further worsen the situation of poverty in Africa; a situation which might take years of consistent economic productivity to ameliorate.

However, while people are eager to return to their daily endeavours, they must not forget that the virus is still very much active and spreading; hence, the need to abide by approved guidelines, particularly as it has to do with public gatherings.

Content created and supplied by: Gado88 (via Opera News )