An operation to assess the response strategy to the devastating effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on Cameroon’s economy is under way in the capital Yaoundé.

Led by the Minister of Public Health, Malachie Manaouda, the operation carried out by stakeholders involving structures operating under the Ministry of Public Health, professional bodies, learned associations, syndicates, civil society, technical and financial partners and the media began on Monday.

According to Journal du Cameroun, the conclusion was to reinforce measures against the pandemic, especially the wearing of face masks in public places, to avoid a second wave of Covid-19 as seen recently in other countries.

Cameroon has recorded 18 973 Covid-19 cases and 410 deaths since the country’s first case was reported on March 6.

Manaouda said the country could defeat the coronavirus if Cameroonians respected the Covid-19 regulations.

On Tuesday, the minister met members of the Scientific Council for Public Emergencies to discuss the way forward.

The latest figures revealed on August 20 indicated that 18 662 people had had the virus in the country, of whom 17 065 were successfully treated and 408 died. This brought the total active cases to 1 189, among them 196 patients and eight under oxygen, the publication reported.

Meanwhile, the World Health Organization's (WHO) regional director for Africa, Matshidiso Rebecca Moeti, said on Tuesday that the WHO did not have enough resources to support African nations in their fight against the pandemic.

"As far as the work on Covid-19 is concerned, we still have a significant gap in mobilising the resources that we need to provide particularly technical support to the work that you are doing, honourable ministers, in responding to the pandemic," she said at the 70th session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa.

According to Moeti, it was necessary to adjust to the reality that the virus would continue to circulate after the pandemic. It was therefore necessary to make greater use of technologies and develop partnerships in response to the health crisis.

She urged African countries to take all precautionary measures ahead of elections, as many African countries prepare to hold presidential elections this year, including the Central African Republic, Ghana, Ivory Coast and Tanzania, while some others will elect a new parliament, including Chad and Egypt.