The vast majority of Africa had until now largely been spared the COVID-19 pandemic, which has infected at least 135,000 people and killed around 5,000 worldwide.
Most countries in Africa report cases were foreigners or people who had traveled abroad bring into the disease into the region – stressing the importance of social distancing. Rapid testing and quarantines have also been put in place to limit transmission.
But concerns are growing about the continent’s ability to handle the disease.
List of African Countries with Reported cases of CoronaVirus as of 16-March-2020.
The countries with reported cases, according to the World Health Organization, include the following:
- Algeria
- Benin
- Burkina Faso
- Cameroon
- The Democratic Republic of Congo
- Egypt
- Ethiopia
- Gabon
- Ghana
- Guinea
- Ivory Coast
- Kenya
- Liberia
- Morocco
- Nigeria
- Senegal
- South Africa
- Sudan
- Tanzania
- Tunisia
- Togo
From South Africa
South Africa on Wednesday released a statement saying it had recorded six new cases of the virus, bringing the total number to 13.
From Gabon:
On Thursday, the first case of coronavirus was reported, a 27-year-old Gabonese student returning from Bordeaux, France.
“In order to anticipate any epidemic in our country and to protect our populations,” the Gabonese government explained in a statement issued on Friday evening, all schools will be closed until 30 March, gatherings of more than 50 people are banned and bars and nightclubs are closed “until further notice”.
From Ethiopia:
Ethiopia confirmed the fifth coronavirus case on Monday (March 16), a day after it had recorded an increase of three in addition to the index case that was recorded last week.
“The Prime Minister calls upon all to maintain calm and equip themselves with accurate information from the Ministry of Health. Citizens are asked to maintain strong hand hygiene and avoid (ing) unnecessary physical contact in line with the Ministry of Health guidelines.”
