Coronavirus Outbreak – North African Countries have the Lowest Cases. Is it the Extreme Heat?

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The countries in North Africa have some of the lowest (relative to the population) coronavirus cases in the world. Equally compelling, they also have the lowest death rates. 

Then, could it be that this particular strain becomes less potent in extreme heat? 

Let's consider the current stats...

1. Egypt, the third largest country in the continent with a population of 102M, has the highest number of cases (12,764) and deaths (645) among the North African nations. To put this figure in proper perspective, let's compare it with Rhode Island, the smallest US state by area with a population of 1.06M, which has a total caseload of 12,795 along with 506 deaths. 

2. Algeria, with a population of 44M, has the second highest caseload of 7,201 and a death toll of 555 among the North African countries. Even the District of Columbia (DC) has a caseload of 7,270 and a death toll of 392.  

3. Morocco, with a population of 37M, has the third highest number of cases at 6,952 and a death toll of 192, translating to a death rate of 2.76%. Again, let's compare its stats to that of the DC. 

4. Nigeria, the largest country in Africa with a population of 205M, has the fourth highest number of cases in the North totaling 5,959 and a death toll of 182. New Mexico, one of our safest states thus far, has 6,096 cases and 270 deaths. All other countries in the North have cases lower than 3K.

5. Ethiopia, the second largest country in the continent by population, has a mere 352 cases with 5 deaths. Any town in the US would love to have such stats today.

All of these countries in North Africa have large cities that are popular tourist destinations as well, e.g., Addis Ababa, Algiers, Cairo, Casablanca, Lagos, Marrakesh, etc. so the populations there are almost as exposed to the foreign tourists as any other developing nation on earth.

So, is it the extreme heat that has been their saving grace?

Stay safe!

Data Source: https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/

-Sid Som
homequant@gmail.com