WHAT: Weekly interaction with members of the media to share critical updates on steps taken to implement key aspects of the joint continental strategy for COVID-19 response; and to also highlight the coordinated efforts by African Union Member States to combat the pandemic in their respective countries.

SPEAKERS: Dr John Nkengasong , Director, Africa CDC and

Prof. Tulio de Oliveira, Director, University of KwaZulu-Natal Research

Innovation and Sequencing Platform

WHEN: Thursday, 17 September 2020

TIME: 11.00-12.00 pm East Africa Time

WHERE: Online through ZOOM, Meeting ID is 929 2887 9486

Please use the link below to join the briefing

https://zoom.us/j/92928879486?pwd=RU9UbSs2ZHRoci9oK0ZKL2dBVmdPdz09

Meeting ID: 929 2887 9486

Passcode: 758293

Or iPhone one-tap: US: +12532158782, 92928879486# or

+13017158592, 92928879486#

Or Telephone: Dial (for higher quality, dial a number based on your

current location):

US: +1 253 215 8782 or +1 301 715 8592 or +1 312 626 6799 or

+1 346 248 7799 or +1 669 900 6833 or +1 929 205 6099

International numbers available: https://zoom.us/u/alsondfWR

Live stream: https://livestream.com/africanunion/events/9033858

Background Information

The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has spread to about 215 countries and territories with more than 28 million cases; and claimed more than 922,000 lives globally. Over 1.3million cases have been reported in all 55 African countries, with nearly 33,000 deaths. Africa CDC is working with Member States to ensure appropriate response to the outbreak in countries to keep up the impressive public health measures adopted by governments across the continent aimed at slowing down the pandemic and to maintain the encouraging number of recoveries from the disease. Professor Tulio de Oliveira of University of KwaZulu-Natal will share the platform with Dr John Nkengasong on this Thursday. Prof. de Oliveria is the Director of KwaZulu-Natal Research, Innovation and Sequencing Platform at the University in Durban, South Africa. He will share key highlights on how sequences are being used to investigate hospital outbreak, monitor the emergence of novel mutations, and the frequency of known mutations, and also understanding the spread of SARS-CoV-2 virus and the number of introductions during this pandemic.

Kindly note that the briefings now covers 3 (English, French and Portuguese) of the AU working languages for interpretation purpose.

Here are basic things to note about tomorrows briefing.

• Journalists will be allowed to ask questions directly online. If you have a question send your name and the name of your media house to WhatsApp # (+251 945 502 310), the following emails ( GwehN@africa-union.org, molalett@africa-union.org ) and they will be taken by the moderator.
• Colleagues who cannot ask questions directly online should send their questions to the same number or email addresses.

Journalists are invited to connect and attend the press briefing on Thursday, 17 September 2020, at 11.00 a.m. East Africa Time .

Media inquiries :

Mr Molalet Tsedeke, Tel: 0911-630631; Email: molalett@africa-union.org; Directorate of Information and Communication; AU Commission

About the African Union

The African Union spearheads Africa's development and integration in close collaboration with African Union Member States, the Regional Economic Communities and African citizens. AU Vision: to accelerate progress towards an integrated, prosperous and inclusive Africa, at peace with itself, playing a dynamic role in the continental and global arena, effectively driven by an accountable, efficient and responsive Commission.

Learn more at: http://www.au.int/en

About Africa CDC

Africa CDC is a specialized technical institution of the African Union which supports Member States in their efforts to strengthen health systems and improve surveillance, emergency response, prevention and control of diseases.

Learn more at: http://www.africacdc.org

For further information:

Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I E-mail: DIC@africa-union.org I Website: www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia.