WHO explains how COVID-19 peaks could be determined
The World Health Organisation (WHO) says predicting when South Africa could reach its COVID-19 peak can be determined by data.
South Africa currently has 12 739 confirmed cases, while there have been 238 coronavirus related deaths in the country.
READ: COVID-19 claims 19 more lives in South Africa
Speaking on Thursday during a webinar, WHO Regional Director for Africa Dr Matshidiso Moeti says: "We were estimating almost 26% of the population could be infected in Africa if effective prevention measures were not put in place. It's a matter of looking at the data of the countries.
"We know that countries did put in place prevention measures; surveillance, contact tracing, isolation and the physical distancing measures."
Moeti says the COVID-19 pandemic has the potential to escalate the continent's existing fight against HIV AIDS and poverty.
Moeti says the virus also puts undernourished people at a greater risk of illness.
She adds while there is a great focus on the pandemic - other issues such as maternal care in Africa should still be treated as essential.
The World Food Programme says governments need to allow trade and supply chains to function normally - to prevent a food and economic crisis.
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to some countries shutting their borders and halting imports and exports.
World Food Programme Regional Director, Chris Nikoi said before the pandemic - - many parts of Africa were already in a situation where livelihoods had been affected by disruptions to economic activity.
He says further disruptions by the pandemic to food supply will have dire consequences.
Nikoi says globally - 135 million people could be at risk of a hunger crisis due to the pandemic.
WHO Africa says there is already more than 200 million people in Africa who are under nourished.
