Seriously ill Covid-19 patients in African countries are more likely to die than those on other continents, which could be because of a lack of critical care equipment, a study said.

Africa's populations have so far been less badly hit by the pandemic than other regions when it comes to total number of cases and deaths — but the authors suggest the mortality rate of those who do get sick could be even higher than their figures suggest because of a lack of data.

“Our study is the first to give a detailed and comprehensive picture of what is happening to people who are severely ill with Covid-19 in Africa,” Bruce Biccard from Groote Schuur Hospital and the University of Cape Town said in a statement.

“Sadly, it indicates that our ability to provide sufficient care is compromised by a shortage of critical care beds and limited resources within intensive care units,” Biccard, who co-led the research, added.