WHO deploys team to South Africa to help battle against COVID-19
CGTN
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An excavator is seen digging graves during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Johannesburg, South Africa, July 28, 2020. Picture taken July 28. 2020. (Photo from CGTN)

The World Health Organization has deployed a team of 43 health experts to South Africa to help in the fight against COVID-19 in the country.

South Africa is the worst-hit country by the pandemic in Africa, having registered 521,318 infections and 8,884 deaths.

The figures represent nearly 53 percent of the continent's confirmed cases and almost 42 percent of its fatalities.

Globally, South Africa ranks fifth in number of confirmed COVID-19 infections, only shadowed by the United States, Brazil, India and Russia.

"At this time, when the COVID-19 epidemic in South Africa is spreading rapidly, it is important that we work together to intensify our fight against the virus", said Owen Kaluwa, WHO Representative for South Africa.

The surge team aims to contribute to national efforts, including in surveillance and streamlining of epidemiological systems.

It intends to improve case management by promoting WHO's global COVID-19 response guidelines and reduce the burden on hospitals by increasing community buy-in to assure greater compliance with public health measures.

The team will be jointly led by WHO Regional Director for Africa, Matshidiso Moeti, and Executive Director of the agency's Health Emergencies Programme, Michael Ryan, who will work virtually from Brazzaville, Congo, and Geneva respectively, to support the experts on the ground.