From easing lockdowns to scaling up community-based coronavirus disease 2019 screening, testing, and contact tracing in Africa-shared approaches, innovations, and challenges to minimize morbidity and mortality

Abstract

The arrival of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on the African continent resulted in a range of lockdown measures that cur-tailed the spread of the infection but caused economic hardship. African countries now face difficult choices regarding easing of lock-downs and sustaining effective public health control measures and surveillance. Pandemic control will require efficient community screening, testing, and contact tracing; behavioral change interventions; adequate resources; and well-supported, community-based teams of trained, protected personnel. We discuss COVID-19 control approaches in selected African countries and the need for shared, affordable, innovative methods to overcome challenges and minimize mortality. This crisis presents a unique opportunity to align COVID-19 services with those already in place for human immunodeficiency virus, tuberculosis, malaria, and non communi-cable diseases through mobilization of Africa’s interprofessional healthcare workforce. By addressing the challenges, the detrimental effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on African citizens can be minimized