The World Health Organization reports that the number of known coronavirus cases in Africa has increased by 51% in the past week.
He estimates that the epicenter of the virus will then move from Europe to Africa.
The number of reported deaths has increased by 60% over the same period, but the actual numbers are likely to be even higher than those reported, its chief executive, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, warned on Friday.
Ghebreyesus also responded to concerns about wet markets, markets across Asia where live animals and wildlife are often sold for food.
Although the origin of COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus, has not yet been identified, many scientists suspect that the virus was transmitted to humans by animals in a wet market in Wuhan, China.
Ghebreyesus said markets are “an important source of food and livelihood for millions of people”, but recommended that they be reopened “only if they meet strict food security standards and hygiene “.
Lagos is the largest city in Africa and authorities are struggling to handle the crowds amid the coronavirus shutdown in Nigeria.
Mile 12, the largest market for perishable goods in the megalopolis, was filled Friday with traders and buyers who made their way through narrow paths sandwiched by huge baskets of tomatoes, with little distance social in sight.
Femi Odusanya, consultant for the market association, said the challenges were “enormous” and called on the government to “do more to make sure people stay safe and at home”.
As part of a government initiative, management has set up a makeshift market in Ogudu, with the aim of reducing the crowd by bringing products closer to the communities they serve.
But as desperation rises, delivery trucks have been attacked, food stolen and vans damaged.
For the poor in Lagos, the priority is to put food on the table.
“People have to eat. I firmly believe that hunger is much more dangerous than coronavirus, so we have to do our best to make people eat,” said market association president Shehu Usman.
