Thread by @WHOAFRO

LIVE: Join our press briefing on the latest #COVID19 updates in #Africa, including discussions on the third wave & COVID-19 vaccine passports. twitter.com/i/broadcasts/1…

"There have now been more than 5.3 million #COVID19 cases on the African continent, & 138,000 lives sadly lost. The third wave is picking up speed, spreading faster, hitting harder." - Dr @MoetiTshidi

"This is incredibly worrying. With rapidly rising case numbers & increasing reports of serious illness, the latest surge threatens to be #Africa's worst yet." - Dr @MoetiTshidi

"A mix of public fatigue & new #COVID19 variants are driving this surge. The Delta variant which dominated India’s second wave has been reported in 14 countries & has been detected in most samples sequenced in the past month in #DRC & #Uganda." Dr @MoetiTshidi

"#Africa can still blunt the impact of these fast-rising infections, but the window of opportunity is closing. Everyone, everywhere can do their bit by taking precautions to prevent transmission." - Dr @MoetiTshidi

"#Africa urgently needs millions more vaccines. We need a sprint, not a saunter, to rapidly protect those facing the biggest risks. #COVID19 cases are outpacing vaccinations, leaving more and more dangerously exposed." - Dr @MoetiTshidi

"16 countries are waiving quarantine for those with a vaccination certificate. While it’s important to secure borders & keep #COVID19 from spreading, it must be equitable.

Africans must not face more restrictions because they are unable to access vaccines." - Dr @MoetiTshidi

"As @WHO, our position remains that making proof of vaccination a pre-requisite for travel may deepen inequities, particularly while the vaccines continue to be in such short supply." - Dr @MoetiTshidi