Coronavirus: Africa And The Pandemic On Friday March 27

Africa had 2,819 confirmed cases of coronavirus on Thursday. The Covid-19 has already claimed the lives of 73 people on the continent, according to this technical agency, the African Union Center for Disease Prevention and Control. 46 out of 54 countries are affected.

President Yoweri Museveni bans all public transport for a period of two weeks: buses, minibuses, taxis and tricycles. Only private vehicles – with a maximum of three people on board – are allowed to circulate. The government’s goal is to limit movement and contact, the head of state said in an intervention on Wednesday, which he concluded by quoting from the Bible: ” Go, my people, come into your room and close the door behind you. Uganda has 14 confirmed cases to date.

Call for help from South Africa

Cyril Ramaphosa, the president of South Africa, the country hardest hit by the virus, asks the G20 countries, and more particularly the richest, to help Africa defeat the Covid-19. Speaking at a virtual G20 summit dedicated to the pandemic, Cyril Ramaphosa called on the international community to protect populations, the global economy and the financial markets to avoid ” a long economic downturn as in 2008 “. More than 900 cases of coronavirus have been confirmed to date in South Africa, where the containment of the population takes effect on Friday.

Health workers strike in Zimbabwe

Thousands of nurses are on strike demanding masks, gloves and gowns. In a statement, the Zimbabwe Nurses Association says its members will not return to work until they have received personal protective equipment, water and a bonus.

Price freeze in Gambia

The Banjul government is freezing the prices of basic necessities, including rice, flour, milk and bread. The export of these products is prohibited, as is their storage. Three cases of Covid-19 have been confirmed in The Gambia so far.

Chloroquine tested in Senegal

Senegal intends to use a molecule similar to chloroquine to treat the first patients with coronavirus, according to Professor Moussa Seydi, infectiologist at the Fann Hospital in Dakar. Hydroxychloroquine is an analgesic and anti-inflammatory drug usually prescribed for malaria. First, Professor Seydi will administer this drug and an antibiotic, azithromycin, to 96 people who test positive.

… and in Burkina, where the government declared ” the state of health alert “

A second clinical trial combining these two drugs, led by doctor Halidou Tinto, is also due to start in Burkina Faso ” very soon, ” according to doctor Alkassoum Maïga, minister of higher education, scientific research and innovation.

The Burkinabe government has also declared a ” state of health alert ” in the face of the spread of the coronavirus. The country now has 152 confirmed cases of coronavirus, with seven deaths. And new measures have been announced to curb the spread of Covid-19. Thus all the cities having registered a case of contaminated person are put in quarantine since this Friday and this, for two weeks.

Among them are the capital Ouagadougou, Bobodioulasso, Houndé, Banfora, Dedougou, Boromo, Zorgho and Manga. The reopening of schools and universities has been postponed until April 14. Decision made following a minister’s e-council – because with the contamination of several ministers by the Covid-19, government work sessions are held remotely

In Côte d’Ivoire, postponement to Sunday of isolation measures in Abidjan

Abidjan will remain connected to the rest of the country for a few more days. The measure of isolation of the economic capital is postponed to Sunday. These traffic restrictions do not concern goods. As for persons, a certain number of exemptions will be authorized according to terms which are being defined according to the government.

Central African Republic anticipates 7.5% recession

The President of the Republic spoke for the second time to the nation Thursday evening about the coronavirus. Faustin Archange Touadera announced new measures following the detection of a 5th case on March 24, which is suspected to be the first local transmission in the country.

Among them, our correspondent Charlotte Cosset lists: the suspension of entries into the Central African Republic for 15 days for travellers from countries with local transmission, with the exception of diplomats and humanitarian personnel, the closure of educational establishments. But also the suspension of religious ceremonies and cults of more than 15 people, the ban on public gatherings of more than 15 people, the limitation of mourning celebrations, weddings and dowry ceremonies to strict family intimacy.

The restriction of population movements between Bangui and the provinces is also announced to prevent the spread of the virus outside the capital. No general confinement or curfew, measures that were feared by the populations and considered by some to be unenforceable.

Henri Marie Dondra, the Minister of Finance and Budget, anticipates a 7.5% recession in 2020. He welcomes the statements by the President of the World Bank, who is asking international donors for a moratorium on the repayment of the debt of poor countries.

For me, this is a timely decision. Today, the debt hovers around 650 billion CFA francs.

Sudanese prisoners released

To curb the spread of the virus, the Sudanese authorities are announcing the release of 4,212 ordinary prisoners at el Houda prison in Omdurman, the largest city in Sudan, which borders Khartoum. Other releases are expected, according to Aïcha Moussa, a member of the Sovereign Council in power. Before leaving, the prisoners undertake in writing not to commit new crimes or offences.

In Ethiopia, prisoners pardoned

President Sahle-Work Zewde pardoned 4,011 prisoners who had been convicted of minor crimes. On her Twitter account, the head of state specifies that they had been sentenced to maximum sentences of three years and were about to be released.

Detention centres prohibited for families in Cameroon

The authorities suspended visits to remand centres, gendarmeries and police stations. A circular specifies that the temperature of the agents must be taken daily and the places of detention disinfected.

A solidarity fund in Mauritania

President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani announces the creation of a solidarity fund with an amount of 25 billion old ouguiyas (61 million euros). It is open to anyone who would like to contribute. Authorities report the third case of Covid-19, a 74-year-old Mauritanian national who recently returned from France.

Hundreds of volunteers have participated since Wednesday in an awareness campaign against the spread of the coronavirus in the districts of Nouakchott, notes our correspondent Salem Mejbour Salem. It is organized by the Mauritanian Red Crescent. The humanitarian organization intends to contribute to the wide dissemination of preventive messages in the Mauritanian capital.

Containment of the population in Djibouti

In Djibouti, the authorities stress that home confinement is compulsory. This obligation ” must not suffer from any uncertainty “, insists the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf. The shops, markets, petrol stations and bakeries are open.

In Liberia, President sings against the virus

President George Weah, singers and musicians record a song to raise awareness. Three cases have been confirmed to date.