Covid-19 in Africa

COVID-19 in Africa: What is happening around the continent

Africa is continuing to battle the Coronavirus pandemic with countries taking different measures to fight the spread of the virus that has so far shown no signs of slowing down. African nations have also stepped up their fight against the pandemic and the infection rate is still low compared to other parts of the world. The continent has so far registered 2,700 cases in 46 nations while there have been about 40 deaths around the continent so far.

However, there are fears that the number of cases in Africa will rapidly rise because of cross infections and the overwhelming health services across the continent.

In some of the latest developments around the continent include a total lockdown in South Africa, night curfews in Kenya, Kinshasa isolation and confirmation of first coronavirus deaths in Kenya and South Africa.
In Africa, Uganda has shut down all public transport with immediate effect, Rwanda coronavirus cases have increased to 50 despite the country being under a lockdown already. In Kenya, president Uhuru has announced a night-time curfew from Friday while the president has also taken an 80% pay cut and he has urged other officials to follow suit in preparation for tough economic times. Kenya has also reported its first coronavirus death. The country’s health minister said that the victim was a 66-year old Kenyan who had underlying health conditions. He was being treated in a hospital in the capital Nairobi after arriving two weeks ago from South Africa and eSwatini. Kenya currently has 31 confirmed cases of Coronavirus.

Rwanda Coronavirus cases rise to 50

Rwanda has reported nine new cases of Coronavirus bringing the country’s total to 50 in less than 3 weeks since the country reported its first case. Of the new cases, five came from Dubai, one from the Netherlands, and one from the U.S and all were quarantined on arrival. The other two were infected within the country according the statement from the country’s health minister.

DR Congo capital Kinshasa shutdown

The Democratic Republic of Congo has declared that the capital Kinshasa will undergo a shutdown from Saturday to stop the spread of coronavirus.

Governor Gentiny Ngobila said all residents apart from essential workers like medical staff will stay at home for four days starting from Saturday. Residents will be allowed to stock up food in the following two days, a pattern which is scheduled to be repeated for the next three weeks. Earlier this week, President Felix Tshisekedi ordered a ban all travel to and from the capital. So far DR Congo has registered 54 cases and has nearly two thousand in quarantine who have been in contact with those with COVID-19.
Meanwhile, Nigeria has warned that it will ban all travel in the country though authorities have not indicated from when. The government has also received a donation from Chinese billionaire Jack Ma including 100,000 face masks.

Ethiopia reports four cases of coronavirus

Ethiopia has confirmed four additional cases of coronavirus bringing the country’s total to 16 cases. Among the newly confirmed cases include a first one from outside the capital Addis Ababa who is a 61-year old in Adama, located 100km east of the capital. Others include a 71-yeal old Mauritian national and two Ethiopian women.

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