A critical appraisal of COVID-19 as a nosocomial infection: an African perspective

Abstract

The pandemic of Coronavirus disease 19 is not abating since the outbreak began in December 2019. Africa is currently experiencing a surge after an initial low incidence and nosocomial infections could be contributing to this. A dominant factor responsible for this is a weak healthcare system because of many years of neglect due to abysmal budgetary allocation to the sector. The testing capacity for COVID-19 diagnosis in Africa is grossly inadequate coupled with a severe shortage of personal protective equipment and inadequate infectious diseases expert. These factors exposed the frontline health workers and patients to the hazard of nosocomial infection with the attendants’ morbidity and mortality. Deliberate efforts need to be made toward reducing nosocomial COVID-19 infection.

Keywords

• covid-19
• nosocomial
• africa