PERC: Biweekly Report (22 December – 04 January 2021)

Reporting period: 22 December 2020–4 January 2021
Biweekly Report:

As Africa’s second wave of COVID-19 cases surpasses the height of its first, African Union (AU) Member States across the continent have reinstated measures to control the spread of the virus. Unlike in April and May, most AU Member States have avoided complete lockdowns, and PHSMs put in place today are more targeted, focusing on the highest burden areas. The new variant detected in South Africa is of concern. Although it is assumed the variant may be leading to increased transmission, given that it is similar in some respects to the variant discovered in the UK , scientists urge caution in assumptions until the appropriate studies are completed on it.