COVID-19 cases in Africa top 10,000: WHO

COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, has infected more than 10,000 people and caused over 500 deaths in Africa, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Wednesday.

While the coronavirus was slow to reach the continent compared to other parts of the world, infection has grown exponentially in recent weeks and continues to spread, the WHO said.

In a statement, the WHO said that since Africa's first COVID-19 case was recorded in Egypt on Feb. 14, a total of 52 countries have reported cases, and a significant number of countries there are now reporting cases not only in their capitals but also outside provinces.

"COVID-19 has the potential not only to cause thousands of deaths, but to also unleash economic and social devastation. Its spread beyond major cities means the opening of a new front in our fight against this virus," said Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa.

"This requires a decentralized response, which is tailored to the local context. Communities need to be empowered, and provincial and district levels of government need to ensure they have the resources and expertise to respond to outbreaks locally," the official said.