Burundi: No confirmed Covid-19 case yet, but suspension of international flights is maintained
The briefing Issue #62, Saturday, March 28, 2020
Dear Readers
It has been five days now without a newsletter from us, on behalf of the Regionweek I unreservedly apologize to you. We are doing fine, praise God! But it has been a challenging week as the coronavirus crisis has escalated, sending jitters just about everywhere
We spent the whole week updating our work system and organizing our resources to be able to handle the challenges we may be facing in the coming days.
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We’ll continue to monitor and report on the effects of Covid-19 in the East Africa region. It’s a strange time, with anxiety running high on multiple fronts.
As WHO recommends, you can protect yourself and help prevent spreading the virus to others if you wash your hands regularly for 20 seconds, with soap and water or alcohol-based hand rub.
Cover your nose and mouth with a disposable tissue or flexed elbow when you cough or sneeze. Avoid close contact (1 meter or 3 feet) with people who are unwell. Stay home and self-isolate from others in the household if you feel unwell
This week in Burundi
As the coronavirus spread across the region, Burundi official confirms that there is no case of the virus, even the 4 most suspected cases tested negative, announced Burundi Health Minister early this Saturday.
The suspension of international flights set to expire on Saturday, March 28, 2020, at 11.59 pm, was extended for another period of 7 days, announced the Burundi ministry in charge of Transport. This decision does not concern cargo flights, ambulance flights (medical evacuation), flights for humanitarian actions and diplomatic flights
On Tuesday, March 24, 2020, the Ministry of Health organized a training and awareness workshop for all staff at Melchior NDANDAYE International Airport on COVID 19 prevention.
The Burundi National Institute of Public Health (INSP) reference laboratory is the only institution accredited to take care of the COVID-19 diagnosis and has six machines that can test over 300 cases per day.
East Africa Community Updates
Ministers Responsible for Health and EAC Affairs met on March 25, 2020, by Video Conference under the Chair Honorable Dr. Daniel NGAMIJE, Minister of Health, for the Republic of Rwanda, and Chairperson of the EAC Sectoral Council of Ministers responsible for Health. In the meeting, Burundi was represented by the Minister in the office of the President responsible for EAC Affairs.
The purpose of the meeting was to share existing knowledge and information on the COVID-19 outbreak, deliberate on the COVID-19 Pandemic, map up containment strategies to stem out any further spread of the disease in the region and develop a clear plan to mitigate against impacts caused by COVID -19 pandemic in the region.
The Ministers noted that as of 24th March 2020, the region had reported a total of 91 confirmed cases (Uganda: 14; Kenya: 25; Rwanda:40; and Tanzania: 12) in 4 out of the 6 Partner States. There were no confirmed cases from the Republic of South Sudan and the Republic of Burundi.
Read ALSO: EAC Secretariat to deploy mobile laboratories and testing kits and to all Partner States
Comesa Region Updates
Between Monday 23 and Thursday 26, March 2020, the number of COVID-19 cases in the COMESA region has gone up by 239 representing a 36.71 percent increase.
This brings to 890 the total number of cases with 97 recoveries and 33 deaths. The first case was reported on 14 February 2020, and the number remained low until 8 March 2020 when a notable increase was recorded of 51.
Since then, the numbers have accelerated steadily with 839 new cases bringing the tally to 890. The countries most affected are Egypt and Tunisia with over 70% of the cases. The latest country to report its first case was Libya bringing to 18 the total number of Member States affected out the 21.
Burundi, Comoros, and Malawi have not recorded any case. COMESA in collaboration with its partners continues to monitor and provide support to the Member States to strengthen response and enhance awareness.
Have a nice weekend, stay at home… be safe!
Fabrice Iranzi
Editor, RegionWeek.com
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RegionWeek is a Burundi-based media for a new generation of achievers in Africa, a platform devoted to chronicling the journey to Freedom and Empowerment.