The World Health Organization warned Thursday that the African continent faces an unprecedented third wave of COVID-19 cases. More than a dozen African nations have reported their highest rates of deaths and new infections since the start of the pandemic, with more than 650,000 new cases recorded since May 3. With testing in short supply and just 2% of Africa’s population vaccinated, the true toll is likely far higher. In Johannesburg, South Africa, healthcare workers say hospitals are once again on the brink of collapse, with the fast-spreading Delta variant driving most new cases.

Anees Kara: “We don’t see dead people. The funeral services see dead people. We see death. That’s the difference. We see death happening. We try to get to the patients in time, but, unfortunately, at certain times, we can’t get to them in time.”