MEDIA ADVISORY

Weekly Press Briefing on Coronavirus Disease Outbreak
INVITATION TO REPRESENTATIVES OF THE MEDIA

WHAT: Weekly engagement with the media to share critical updates on the COVID-19 response activities in Africa and progress made toward implementing Africa’s COVID-19 Vaccine strategy and the joint continental strategy for COVID-19 response in Africa.

SPEAKERS: Dr John Nkengasong, Director, Africa CDC

Dr. Merawi Aragaw, Incident Manager for Ebola, Africa CDC

WHEN: Thursday, 18 March 2021

TIME: 11.00 p.m. –12.00 p.m. East Africa Time

WHERE: Online through ZOOM, please register in advance to join the briefing

Register in advance for this webinar using the below link:

https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_qUs3EtUaR_i_87i9NK-I0g

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

Background Information

The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has spread to about 220 countries and territories with more than 119.9 million cases; and claimed the lives of 2.65 million people worldwide. In Africa, over 4 million cases have been reported in all countries, with about 108,000 deaths.

Africa CDC continue to work with Member States to ensure an effective response to the outbreak by Member States, including maintaining key public health measures which have helped to slow down the pandemic on the continent during the first wave and remain critical in the wake of a more widespread second and possible third waves of infections in some countries.

Dr Nkengasong briefing this week will focus on regular updates on the general COVID-19 situation across the continent and Africa CDC support to member states. The Director will also highlight vaccines delivery through the COVAX mechanism and the progress of vaccination by member states to targeted populations. The Ebola outbreaks in the DRC and the Republic of Guinea will also be highlighted during the briefing.

The briefing remains available in 2 AU working languages (English and French) through interpretation. Below are basic things to consider during the briefing.

·Journalists will be allowed to ask questions directly online. If you have a question send your name and the name of the media organization you represent 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 use the Q&A section of the zoom platform.

Journalists are invited to connect and attend the press briefing on Thursday, 18 March 2021, 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