South Africa[1]’s coronavirus[2] cases jumped again to 709, the health minister said Wednesday, as the country with the most cases in Africa prepared to go into lockdown first thing Friday.
Health Minister Zweli Mkhize on state television pointed out “intense local spread” in Free State province among attendees of a church gathering where five cases were first reported. All five people recently traveled abroad. Now almost 30 cases have been recorded.
Cases across Africa are now well above 2,400. With Mali, Libya and Guinea-Bissau announcing their first, 46 of the continent’s 54 countries now have the virus. The Portuguese news agency Lusa reported the Guinea-Bissau cases, citing the presidency.
READ MORE: Coronavirus — Alibaba founder gives African nations 6M medical supply items[3]
Some African leaders have scolded citizens for not adhering to prevention measures.
“Countrymen and women, I have gone ’round the city and I have seen for myself that many among us are not taking this COVID-19 seriously,” Zambian President Edgar Lungu said Wednesday in Lusaka. “I have seen multitudes patronizing bars or freely hugging and shaking hands at funerals, contrary to health advice.” The country has 12 cases.
African countries that have not recorded cases are Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Burundi, Malawi, Botswana, Comoros, Lesotho and Sao Tome and Principe, according to the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Some have the most fragile health systems on the continent.
[ Signup for our Health IQ newsletter for latest coronavirus updates[4] ]
Congo became the latest to close its borders while reporting its third death. The sprawling nation has one of Africa’s weakest health systems and has been battling another global health emergency, a deadly Ebola virus outbreak in the east. While that outbreak now appears to be within days of being declared over, Congo also faces a large measles outbreak.
As more countries across Africa impose restrictions on gatherings and travel, many informal workers are suffering. Ethiopia’s government in a proposal to the Group of 20 major industrialized nations has said Africa needs a $150 billion emergency financing package because “COVID-19 poses an existential threat to the economies of African countries.”
South Africa already has an unemployment rate of 29% and the lockdown will hit workers hard. But authorities fear what will happen if the virus sweeps through crowded low-income communities and public transport.
Teeming prisons are another worry across Africa. Ethiopia’s state broadcaster EBC cited the attorney general as saying more than 4,000 prisoners will be released to help stop the coronavirus’ spread. Those include people behind bars for minor offenses and those with children.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death.
View link » © 2020 The Canadian Press
References
- ^ South Africa (globalnews.ca)
- ^ coronavirus (globalnews.ca)
- ^ Coronavirus — Alibaba founder gives African nations 6M medical supply items (globalnews.ca)
- ^ Click for Health IQ newsletter signup (globalnews.ca)
- ^ Journalistic standards (globalnews.ca)
- ^ Report an error (www.bing.com)
Newer articles:
- Protection and Human Rights Considerations - Preparedness and Response to COVID-19 for South Sudan - 25/03/2020 12:51
- South Sudan's Kiir hails Egypt's efforts to support his country's stability - 25/03/2020 12:07
- Illegal entry by South Sudan nationals into Uganda worries authorities in Amuru - 25/03/2020 10:17
- South Sudan imposes nighttime curfew over coronavirus - 25/03/2020 08:32
- Sudan defence minister dies at Juba peace talks - 25/03/2020 05:03
Older news items
- South Africa's virus cases jump; Mali, Guinea-Bissau get 1st - 25/03/2020 03:51
- South Sudan, Sudan Close Borders, Airports - 25/03/2020 00:10
- COVID-19 Threatens South Sudan’s At-Risk Populations - 24/03/2020 06:16
- South Sudan nationals intercepted in Gulu over Coronavirus - 24/03/2020 05:55
- South Sudan pushes back licence round - 24/03/2020 05:43
Latest news items (all categories):
- IGAD and South Sudan Strengthen National Coordination for the Implementation of the Building Women’s Economic Resilience for Sustainable Peace Project - 03/08/2026 18:53
- South Sudan plans interoperable birth registration, digital ID systems - 03/08/2026 18:50
- South Sudan Oil & Power Returns as South Sudan’s Premier Investment Platform - 03/08/2026 18:04
- Kenya: Mudavadi meets South Sudan foreign minister as Juba gears up for landmark elections - 03/08/2026 16:52
- A Long Road Home: Jal’s Journey Through Conflict and Separation - 03/08/2026 16:41
Random articles (all categories):
- China's motive in South Sudan? - 13/01/2015 19:27
- Addis Talks So Far First Round Well Done. - 14/06/2012 20:18
- A bitter 'happy birthday' for warring South Sudan - 10/07/2014 15:04
- السودان.. امتحانات الشهادة الثانوية تعمق مخاوف الانقسام - 15/06/2026 19:23
- South Sudan, Kenya battle it out for post of secretary general of the East African Community (EAC) - 25/02/2021 03:59
Popular articles:
- Who is the darkest person in the world, according to Guinness World Record? - 25/10/2022 02:34 - Read 148273 times
- School exam results in South Sudan show decline - 01/04/2012 17:58 - Read 27915 times
- Top 10 weakest currency exchange rates in Africa in 2023 - 19/07/2023 00:24 - Read 25000 times
- No oil in troubled waters - 25/03/2014 15:02 - Read 24322 times
- NDSU student from South Sudan receives scholarship - In-Forum - 29/09/2012 01:44 - Read 22279 times
