Introduction the emergence of more transmissible SARS-CoV-2 variants like Delta and Omicron have triggered the next wave of COVID-19 in many parts of the world. Here we report a surge in COVID-19 cases and deaths in the Northwest (NW) Region of Cameroon, which is plagued with low immunization coverage and armed conflict. Methods a cross-sectional study was conducted in September 2021 and data on COVID-19 cases and vaccination were reviewed from the Ministry of Health database from January 1 st , 2020 to September 4 th , 2021. The security situation of the region was obtained from the districts and regional health managers. Data were analyzed with MS Excel and results presented as trends and proportions. Results since the onset of COVID-19 pandemic, there is an increasing prevalence in cases in the NW. Between epidemiological week 34-35 of 2021, there was a surge in COVID-19 cases in the NW. More than 70% of all COVID-19 related deaths reported in the country during epidemiological week-35 were recorded in this region. Despite this high mortality, COVID-19 vaccine uptake remains very low in the region. Indeed, just 0.6% of the 962,036-target population 18-years and above are fully immunized after 6-months of vaccination. Conclusion though the country´s epi-curve does not suggest a third wave currently, the NW is experiencing a steady COVID-19 case surge amid insecurity and the circulation of the Delta variant. There is therefore a need to adopt innovative strategies to improve immunization and strengthen other SARS-CoV-2 preventive measures in this region.

Introduction Cameroon’s Southwest Region (SW) has been hit by an armed conflict for over half a decade now, negatively affecting the region’s routine immunization and disease surveillance activities. This negative effect was further acerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which alongside the conflict, caused thousands of children to miss out on life-saving vaccinations. Herein, we present the contribution of periodic intensification of routine immunization in improving immunization and surveillance activities amid crises. Method Periodic intensification of routine immunization (PIRI) and disease surveillance were carried out in three rounds per health district. Before the intervention, the security profile of each district involved was reviewed. Data for this study was extracted on vaccination and surveillance activities from the District Health Information Software and monthly regional reports for 2019 and 2020 from the SW delegation of health. Results 54,242 persons were vaccinated in the SW following these interventions. An increase in performance was observed in all 18 health districts in 2020 compared to 2019. Both DPT-HebB-Heb-3 vaccine and OPV-3 coverage rose by 28% points. Similarly, the proportion of health districts that investigated at least a case of acute flaccid paralysis increased by 83%, rising from just three districts in 2019 to all 18 in 2020. Conclusion PIRI was a practical approach to improving vaccination coverage and surveillance indicators in this region amidst the ongoing armed conflict and COVID-19 pandemic.

IntroductionThe emergence of more transmissible SARS-CoV-2 variants like the Delta has triggered a third wave of Covid-19 with increasing morbidity and mortality in many parts of the word. Here we report a surge in Covid-19 cases and deaths in the Northwest (NW) region of Cameroon, which has been plagued with low immunization coverage and an ongoing armed conflict.MethodA cross sectional study was carried out from August to September, 2021 and data on Covid-19 cases and vaccination coverage were reviewed from the data base of the Ministry of Health, while data on the security situation of the region was obtained from the district and regional health managers. Data were analyzed with MS excel and the results presented as trends and proportion.ResultsAs of 4th September, 2021 there was a total of 7,499 confirmed Covid-19 cases in the region. In Epidemiological week 34-35 (22-August to 04-September), 2021, there was a surge in Covid-19 cases in the NW. More than 70% of all covid-19 related deaths reported in the country was recorded in this region during epidemiologic week-35. Despite this high mortality, Covid-19 vaccine uptake remains very low in the region. Indeed, just 0.6% of the 962,036-target population have been fully immunized after 6 months of Covid-19 vaccine rollout. ConclusionThough the country’s epi curve does not suggest a third wave at this time, the NW is experiencing a steady Covid-19 case surge amid insecurity and the circulation of the Delta variant. There is therefore a need to strengthen disease prevention though vaccination and surveillance in this region.