Six African Nations Yet To Record Any Case Of COVID-19

Six of Africa’s 54 nations are among the last in the world to still report cases of the new coronavirus.

The global pandemic has been confirmed in almost all countries, but in a small number of small, remote island states, war-torn Yemen and isolated North Korea.

In Africa, the authorities claim that they are spared by God, or simply saved by the low air traffic in their countries; however, some fear that the lack of testing will hide the real impact.

– Southern Sudan –

The East African country is barely emerging from six years of civil war and, with high levels of hunger, disease and poor infrastructure, observers fear the virus could wreak havoc.

Doctor Angok Gordon Kuol, one of those responsible for overseeing the fight against the virus, said the country had only carried out 12 tests, none of which was positive.

He said the reason the virus has not yet reached South Sudan can be explained by the low volume of air traffic and travel to the country.

“Few airlines arrive in South Sudan and most of the countries affected today are affected by … people from abroad.”

He said the main concern is foreigners working for the large NGO and humanitarian community, or people who cross land borders in neighboring countries.

South Sudan has closed schools, banned meetings such as weddings, funerals and sporting events and blocked flights from the most affected countries. Non-essential companies were closed and movement restricted.

Currently, the country can test around 500 people and has an isolation center with 24 beds.

– Burundi –

In Burundi, which is preparing for the general elections in May, the authorities are grateful for divine intervention for the lack of cases.

“The government thanks the almighty God who protected Burundi,” said government spokesman Prosper Ntahorwamiye on national television last week.

At the same time, he criticized the “rumors that” Burundi is not able to test the virus or is spreading unnoticed.

Some measures were taken, such as the suspension of international flights and the installation of hand washing stations at the entrances of banks and restaurants in Bujumbura.

However, several doctors expressed their concerns.

“There are no cases in Burundi because there have been no tests,” said a Burundian doctor on condition of anonymity.

– Sao Tome and Principe –

São Tomé and Principe – a small nation of small islands covered by lush rainforest – has not registered a case because it could not be tested, according to Anne Ancia, a representative of the World Health Organization.

However, “we are continuing preparations”, with around 100 people quarantined after the return from highly affected countries, and WHO monitoring pneumonia cases.

With only four ICU beds for a population of 200,000 people, the country is desperate not to let the virus take over and has already closed its borders despite the importance of tourism for the local economy.

– Malawi –

Malawi Ministry of Health spokesman Joshua Malango dismissed fears that Malawi may not have recorded any cases of Covid-19 due to a lack of test kits:

“We have the test kits in Malawi and we are testing them.”

Bridget Malewezi, of the Society of Doctors, told AFP that although “we are not 100% ready”, the government was preparing for the arrival of the virus.

She suggested that it may just be a matter of time before the pandemic reaches Malawi.

“It was only in the past few weeks that it has spread wildly across Africa, so that most people feel it will arrive here at some point …” she said.

Malawi asked people from affected countries to quarantine themselves, which, according to Malawezi, helped “protect the country from any possible spread of the virus”.

– Lesotho –

Little Lesotho, a kingdom surrounded by South Africa with just two million inhabitants, entered national confinement on Monday, despite registering zero cases.

Until last week, the country had no tests or test centers and received its first kits thanks to a donation from Chinese billionaire Jack Ma.

The authorities have notified eight suspected cases that they have not been able to test and the first results are expected soon.

– Comoros –

The island nation of the Comoros Islands in the Indian Ocean, located between Madagascar and Mozambique, has yet to detect a single case of the virus, according to the Ministry of Health.

A doctor from the capital Moroni, Dr. Abdou Ada, wonders if it may not be because of the widespread use of the medication Artemisinin in the treatment of malaria.

“I believe that mass antimalarial treatment explains the fact that Comoros are, at least for now, spared from Covid-19. it is a personal belief that needs to be scientifically confirmed. “