Kenya, Ethiopia, Sudan and Guinea have all confirmed their first cases of Coronavirus, giving the disease basis in 18 counties on the African continent.
Most of Africa’s reported cases were foreigners or people who have traveled to overseas. Rapid testing and quarantine have been carried out to minimize transmission.
Cases have been reported in Morocco Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria, Senegal, Togo, Cameroon, Burkina Faso, Democratic Republic of Congo, South Africa, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Gabon and Ghana completes the list.
Senegal confirmed 11 new cases earlier this weekend, up from the initial 10. According to the Health Ministry, 16 patients had been infected by the index case who flew in from Italy.
Kenyan Health Minister, Mutahi Kagwe said their first case, a 27-year-old Kenyan, was diagnosed after traveling home via London on March 5.
“Government had traced most of the people she had been in contact with, including fellow passengers on her flight, and a government response team would monitor their temperatures for the next two weeks”, he added.
Ethiopia case came from a 48-year old Japanese national who arrived Addis Ababa on March 4, while Guinea’s first case was an employee of the European Union(EU) delegation who had self-isolated after she felt ill upon returning from Europe.
Sudan’s first confirmed coronavirus case according to the health minister was a man who died on Thursday in the Sudanese capital Khartoum after visiting the United Arab Emirates in the first week of this month.
According to Kanyan Health minister, the government has subsequently suspended all public gatherings, sporting events, open-air religious meetings and events of a huge public nature. Schools will remain open but inter-school events all suspended.
Public transport operators must install hand sanitizers in their vehicles and clean them regularly, Kagwe added, while foreign travel would be restricted.
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