The coronavirus situation in Africa is as bad as the outbreaks in Europe and the United States. However, cases are also gradually climbing and the CoVID-19 has also taken some of the continent's prized experts.
Nationally-Renowned South African Scientist Dies
Recognized for her contributions to the microbicide research field of science, prized scientist and professor Gita Ramjee has succumbed to the CoVID-19 strain on Tuesday in Durban, the South African government confirmed.
According to Al Jazeera, deputy president David Mabuza said in a statement on Wednesday that Ramjee was recognized for her work in developing HIV prevention methods for the women in her country.
Ramjee was 64 at her time of passing. She had a recent travel history in London but did not show any symptoms shortly upon her return home. She later felt sick and was admitted to a hospital on the East Coast.
As of Tuesday, South Africa registered at least 1,380 confirmed CoVID-19 cases. It remains the hardest-hit country in the entire continent.
Ghana Records 34 New CoVID-19 Cases
In Ghana, the novel coronavirus is not moving too fast but on Wednesday, the Omani minister for health Kwaku Agyemang-Manu confirmed 34 new cases in the country.
Not too many details were provided about the new patients but Agyemang-Manu noted that the infected patients are now receiving proper treatment and have been put under isolation to prevent further infections.
Ghana now has a total of 195 confirmed CoVID-19 cases.
Authorities in Kenya Probe Death of Teen
Kenyan police have launched an investigation into the death of a 13-year-old boy whose neighbors said was killed when local police were implementing a curfew earlier this week.
Kenya's stricter movement measures on citizens came as the country's CoVID-19 cases climbed gradually over the past few days. However, there have been reports about alleged abuse of power by some police implementing the movement control measures.
Kenya registered at least 81 confirmed coronavirus cases as of Wednesday.
Ethiopia's CoVID-19 Crisis Puts Elections on Hold
Ethiopia's national election, which was initially scheduled for August 29, has been postponed as the government scrambles to prevent the coronavirus outbreak from spreading across the nation.
According to Quartz, the decision has gained mixed reactions from opposition parties, with some noting that even before the CoVID-19 crisis blew up in some parts of the world, the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia was already behind schedule.
Ethiopia has so far registered 29 confirmed coronavirus cases as of Wednesday.
Nigeria Reports 12 New Cases
The Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) on Wednesday confirmed that 12 new patients tested positive of CoVID-19, bringing the country's total to 151.
The NCDC further revealed that the new cases were confirmed residents of Edo, Ekiti, and Osun. Lagos is still the epicenter of the outbreak in Nigeria, with 82 confirmed coronavirus cases.
Aside from the new cases, the NCDC also confirmed that nine patients have since recovered and two people succumbed to the disease.
Members of World-Renowned Children's Choir in Uganda Positive of CoVID-19
A new cluster was detected in Uganda on Wednesday, marking an uptrend in clustered cases in the country. However, the biggest story that came out of the reveal was the infected people are members of the Watoto Church children's choir.
The Watoto Church said in a statement on Wednesday that two groups from the internationally acclaimed children's choir traveled to Canada and the United Kingdom two weeks ago, CNN reported.
Uganda's Health Ministry noted that most of the new confirmed CoVID-19 cases among the group were those from the U.K. Uganda President Yoweri Museveni said some of the group's members have already been placed under government quarantine since their return.
Uganda now has 44 confirmed coronavirus cases.
DR of Congo's Economy at Risk amid Coronavirus Crisis
The Democratic Republic of Congo detected its first CoVID-19 case on March 10 and in roughly three weeks, the country already registered 123 coronavirus patients.
According to the Los Angeles Times, the economy is expected to be hit hard due to the coronavirus as borders shut down and traveling businessmen can only do so much as wait for the government to lift the travel restrictions.
Some citizens have also expressed fear for their lives even after the country survived war and the Ebola virus. Testing is another problem for the health system in the DR of Congo as widespread testing has yet to be made available.
