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YAOUNDE, Cameroon
The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched a new coronavirus safety awareness campaign targeting the African youth population.
The Mask Up initiative was unveiled Thursday in an online briefing by Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Africa Regional Director.
“Wearing masks can save lives. This is why WHO today launches the “#MaskUp, Not Down” campaign which aims to reach over 40 million young people in Africa on social media by the end of 2020, “he said.
Moeti said there has been promising news regarding the development of the COVID-19 vaccine in the past two weeks, with initial data from late-stage studies from two candidates indicating high levels of efficacy.
“We are now working with African countries on preparing to launch vaccines,” he said.
Moeti asked for caution in view of the upcoming winter holidays.
“We are approaching the time of year when people travel to spend their holidays together. These end-of-year meetings are a key part of our life in African countries, but they can certainly increase the risk of COVID-19 transmission, “he said.
“Epidemics spread socially and we can stop them with safe social interactions. I ask everyone to be aware of their individual risks and the risk of loved ones, friends and neighbors “.
The number of virus cases in Africa is now over 2 million, including over 1.7 million recoveries and over 48,000 deaths.
‘Good news’
Moeti also spoke about the successful efforts against Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
“Finally good news. While battling COVID-19, WHO also supported the Democratic Republic of the Congo to control its eleventh Ebola outbreak. Yesterday the government declared over! This is a great achievement, “he said.
“The innovations used to fight Ebola, such as technologies to keep vaccines at very cold temperatures, will be useful when bringing a COVID-19 vaccine to Africa,” the official added.
WHO announced the end of the eleventh Ebola outbreak in western DRC on Wednesday.
In a statement, WHO Africa said 130 people were infected and 55 died in the outbreak, which took place in communities scattered among dense rainforests and crowded urban areas.
* Felix Tih contributed to this story
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