In the News: a first case of coronavirus in Algeria

Audio 04:03

By: Frédéric Couteau Follow

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Some scientists were still surprised recently that Africa is not more affected by the coronavirus, due in particular to its significant trade with China. Well, a second case of contamination was recorded yesterday on the continent. After Egypt, Algeria is therefore affected. The announcement was made last night on public television by Abderrahmane Benbouzid, the Minister of Health, Population and Hospital Reform.

" According to the minister , specifies Le Matin d'Algérie , it is an Italian national who arrived in Algeria on February 17. The patient was transferred to the Institut Pasteur. The analyzes confirmed that this Italian citizen was indeed a carrier of the coronavirus. He was placed in emergency medical isolation. It is obvious that this case was not detected on his arrival at the airport , deplores Le Matin , since at the level of international arrivals no action has been taken until today. In light of this official information, this Italian was in contact with people during the whole week following his arrival. What could lead to wonder, alarms the Algerian daily , how many people have been in contact with this Italian ? And how many would be contaminated since ? Italy has registered 10 deaths from coronavirus. It should be emphasized, Le Matin added again , that at the time when all of Europe had deployed a sanitary cordon and established controls at the level of airports, Algeria has so far shown no eagerness to take any action. alarm bell. "

Africa poorly equipped

Le Monde Afrique, for its part, recalls the warning issued this weekend by the WHO: " The World Health Organization has warned that the health systems in Africa are ill-equipped to face the epidemic of coronavirus if cases contamination appeared and multiplied on the continent. […] So far, Egypt was the only country in Africa to officially register a confirmed case of contamination on February 14. "

The WHO also notes, specifies Le Monde Afrique , that " if the coronavirus began to spread on the continent, health systems should take care of patients suffering from symptoms such as respiratory failure, septic shock or simultaneous failure of several organs. And these patients would need intensive care requiring equipment like breathing apparatus that is lacking in many African countries. It is a source of concern. "

For its part, Le Monde Afrique still points out, " the chairman of the AU Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, called on African officials to " take drastic measures of prevention and control ", because, he said. said, Africa is particularly vulnerable "because of its relatively precarious health systems". "

G5-Sahel : " T he presidents pass, the terrorists stay ... "

Also on the front page, the change of president at the head of the G5-Sahel. Burkinabe President Roch Marc Christian Kaboré passed the baton to his Mauritanian counterpart, Mohamed Ould Ghazouani. " The presidents pass, the terrorists stay! , exclaims the Burkinabé WakatSéra site . 5 civilians killed in the night from Monday to Tuesday in the Center-North of Burkina Faso. The day before, and in the same region, a national police patrol was ambushed. Balance sheet, 4 people killed, including 3 police officers and 5 injured. At the same time, the president of Faso passed the baton to the Mauritanian head of state. It was one of the highlights of the 6th ordinary session of the G5 Sahel Conference of Heads of State yesterday in Nouakchott, Mauritania. So goes the life of the institutions, points WakatSéra. And it is the occasion for the outgoing ones to present their assessment, which, is always "satisfactory". "

" The figures for the past few months are good, but, dismayed by the killings of civilians, recognizes Today , still in Burkina. Attacks multiplied by ten against the populations with an incredible violence. Armed terrorist groups are increasingly rampant in this strip of three borders. They are trying to make the law. Military forces are blowing a blow, but the numbers are still below expectations. "

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• Algeria
• coronavirus