Africa’s population of 1.3 billion constitute 18% of the global population (n = 7.8 billion). Nevertheless, only 2.1% (3 176 707 of 151 803 822) and 2.6% (82 870 of 3 186 538) of documented coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases and deaths, respectively, as of 30 April 2021 have been recorded in Africa. South Africa has the highest cumulative testing rate (total number of tests per 1000 people) for SARS-CoV-2 infections (179 per 1000 population as of 29 April 2021) in Africa, although it lags behind the testing rates in high-income countries such as the USA (1249) and the UK (2232), indicating more than one test per individual. Understanding the force of SARS-CoV-2 infection and the burden of COVID-19 at a country level is essential to inform future planning and management of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, including the deployment of COVID-19 vaccines. Population-based seroepidemiological surveys of past SARS-CoV-2 infection could assist in delineating the number of past infections and the infection-mortality risk, and determining the ongoing susceptibility of communities to COVID-19.

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Estimated SARS-CoV-2 infection rate and fatality risk in Gauteng Province, South Africa: a population-based seroepidemiological survey

Authors: Portia Chipo Mutevedzi, Mary Kawonga, Gaurav Kwatra, Andrew Moultrie, Vicky Baillie, Nicoletta Mabena, Masego Nicole Mathibe, Martin Mosotho Rafuma, Innocent Maposa, Geoff Abbott, Janie Hugo, Bridget Ikalafeng, Tsholofelo Adelekan, Mkhululi Lukhele, Shabir A Madhi