The bar of 100 deaths due to Covid-19 was crossed in Togo over the weekend of 20-21. March. In particular, with the presence of the British variant, pollution cases are increasing and the epidemic is progressing faster. Faced with this situation, the authorities are considering new measures in the next few days.
The situation is taken seriously in Togo. The Scientific Council and the President of the Republic, Faure Gnassingbé, are increasing the number of consultations these days. And with good reason: the pollution curve is rising faster. In March alone, there were more than 2017 cases of pollution and 19 deaths, corresponding to more than 18% of deaths since the start of the pandemic.
This worrying situation is due to “several factors”, according to Professor Didier Koumavi Ekuévi, President of the Scientific Council: “The first factor is the slack in the application of barrier measures. The second factor is the circulation of the British variant, which has just been confirmed. “which is more transmissible and which is more fatal. There is also a denial of the disease, reluctance to people with symptoms suggestive of Covid-19 to be tested.”
“The situation is worrying, but it can be controlled”
The 100 death mark was crossed last weekend (104 deaths as of March 23). The epidemic is concentrated around the capital Lomé, the president of the Scientific Council continues. “The situation is worrying, but it can be brought under control,” he said.
The vaccination has started with AstraZeneca. More than 92% of all health workers have been vaccinated. The promotion will increase over the next few weeks. 45,000 new doses of AstraZeneca have just been received and new restriction measures are being considered in the coming days to quickly control the pollution curve.
