Africa has now recorded at least 10 deaths across four African countries from the current outbreak of Coronavirus.
Egypt so far has reported of at least six deaths with the latest deaths involving a 78-year-old Italian woman and a 70-year-old Egyptian man who died in an isolation hospital.
Egypt (6), Algeria (3), Morocco (2), and Sudan (1) are the number of deaths so far.
At least 31 African countries now have confirmed coronavirus cases totaling 529 with new cases being reported in countries like Gambia and Zanzibar.
South Africa for example is recording a sharp increase in number of cases, 23 new cases of coronavirus in one day.
The challenge for many African countries now is accessing enough testing kits and face masks.
The African Union’s centre for disease control said it is “working to procure emergency medical equipment stockpiles including COVID19 diagnostics, PPE, thermal scanners & other critical equipment that can be used to rapidly equip countries in the event of rapid onset of cases.”
@AfricaCDC is working to procure emergency medical equipment stockpiles including #COVID19 diagnostics, PPE, thermal scanners & other critical equipment that can be used to rapidly equip countries in the event of rapid onset of cases https://t.co/V7Mkv8OvhO pic.twitter.com/K3NV0memeQ
— African Academy of Sciences (@AASciences) March 18, 2020
Support from Chinese business man
Meanwhile the Chinese business magnate, investor and politician, Jack Ma has announced that he is donating test kits, face masks and other protective suits to Africa.
In a statement he said “to each of the 54 African countries, we will donate 20,000 test kits, 100,000 masks and 1,000 medical use protective suits and face shields.”
Ma also said that he believes “Africa can be one step ahead of the coronavirus.”
The Ministry of Health of Ethiopia @FMoHealth informed that the Government of Ethiopia will receive 1 million testing kit from Alibaba (in the next few days). The aid will be divided equally among AU Member States according to Alibaba’s recommendations.#COVID19 #FactsNotFear https://t.co/60DoDJzSg5 pic.twitter.com/RpaFHAdELz
— Africa CDC (@AfricaCDC) March 18, 2020
In dealing with the increasing number of cases, many African countries have imposed travel bans to contain the spread of the virus.
Apart from travel bans, some of these countries have also banned religious activities, shuts schools and asked employers to allow employees to work from home.
There are indications more African countries will soon also announce travel bans as the continent ensures that the spread of the virus is kept at a low rate.
Source: Africafeeds.com
