AHEAD of the Christmas and New Year festivities which will witness an increase in social gatherings, the World Health Organisation has predicted a spike in COVID-19 cases.
The WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, said this during a webinar attended by select African journalists on Thursday.
Moeti urged countries to be on high alert for a possible surge in COVID-19 cases, even as nearly 20 countries in the region experienced an uptick in cases.
She made it clear that, it is near the time of year when people get on the move to spend their holidays together, there is a bigger risk of COVID-19 transmission.
She added that, new clusters of cases can emerge in places that have so far been unaffected as people travel or gather for festivities. But the risks can be lowered by wearing masks, limiting the numbers of people who come together, observing physical distancing and practicing good hand hygiene.
