Uganda has battled HIV/AIDS for over three decades and in that time, hundreds of people have died, thousands have survived, and a lot of capacity has been developed. It is, however, the capacity aspect especially at the community level, that has given mileage to Uganda’s COVID-19 response.  

For instance, Kanungu district, in southwestern Uganda has a Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLHAs) with a membership of over 7,000 with the purpose of strengthening adherence to treatment and sensitizing communities on HIV/AIDS prevention.

Banjul International Airport, 2^nd March, 2021

A milestone arrival of 36,000 doses of AstraZeneca COVAX vaccine in The Gambia; the vaccines were handed over to the Ministry of Health (MoH) at Banjul International Airport.

Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic when all countries are desperate to contain the virus transmission, The Gambia   received the first consignment of 36,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine, a significant step in controlling the pandemic. The pandemic had its toll in The Gambia affecting the health, social and economic wellbeing of the citizens.

Abuja, 8 March, 2021 - When Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa received the first batch of COVID-19 vaccines, government officials and stakeholders heaved a sigh of relieve.

For Dr Osagie Ehanire, Nigeria’s Minister of Health, “It is a feeling of relief and elation that at last we are joining the community of nations who can vaccinate their citizens against COVID-19 disease  which has been raging across the world. We have to some extent lagged but are relieved that we can now start vaccinating our citizens. 

07 March 2021 — Forty-two (42) new COVID-19 cases were identified out of 2735 samples tested today. This brings the cumulative number of confirmed cases nineteen thousand, five hundred, and fifty-one (19551). To date, seventeen thousand, eight hundred, and forty (17840) patients have recovered, including forty (40) in the past 24 hours. The number of active cases is one thousand, four hundred, and forty-three (1443) and two hundred, and sixty-eight (268) deaths. 

Addis Ababa, 07 March 2021 – Today, Ethiopia has received 2.184 million doses of the Astra Zeneca COVID-19 vaccine via the COVAX Facility. This is a historic step towards our goal to ensure equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines globally, in what will be the largest vaccine procurement and supply operation in history.

06 March 2021 — Eighty-three (83) new COVID-19 cases were identified out of 5122 samples tested today. This brings the cumulative number of confirmed cases nineteen thousand, five hundred, and nine (19509). To date, seventeen thousand, eight hundred, and ten (17810) patients have recovered, including fifty-nine (59) in the past 24 hours. The number of active cases is one thousand, four hundred, and forty-two (1442) and two hundred, and sixty-seven (267) deaths. 

World Health Organization (WHO) Gambia trained 60 local journalists on prevention and management of misinformation in the context of COVID-19.  From 18^th to 19^th January 2021, journalists were equipped with skills to deal with misconceptions and fake news like “COVID-19 is over".

Without a strong media engagement, the spread of rumours and misconceptions through social media and other means can slow the fight against the pandemic.

05 March 2021 — Ninety-two (92) new COVID-19 cases were identified out of 4534 samples tested today. This brings the cumulative number of confirmed cases nineteen thousand, four hundred, and twenty-six (19426). To date, seventeen thousand, seven hundred, and fifty-one (17751) patients have recovered, including sixty-nine (69) in the past 24 hours. The number of active cases is one thousand, four hundred, and eighteen (1418) and two hundred, and sixty-seven (267) deaths.