Coronavirus: "We have not seen any cases, no deaths", in Yopougon, we remain skeptical

Audio 01:17

The Covid-19 screening and care center for the sick, which was under construction in Yopougon, a neighborhood in Abidjan, was destroyed by residents on April 6, 2020. REUTERS / Luc Gnago

Text by: RFI Follow

In Côte d'Ivoire, justice sentenced Friday, April 17, 29 people to three years in prison and 100,000 francs fine, or 150 euros. The court considers that they took part two weeks ago in the sacking of a Covid-19 virus information and screening center which was under construction in Yopougon. Many residents in the neighborhood still doubt the relevance of such a center.

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with our correspondent in Abidjan, François Hume-Ferkatadji

The inhabitants of this commune, the most populated in Abidjan, question the reality of the health crisis also due, they say, to a lack of communication from the government. However, the authorities said on Thursday that they had counted 49 cases of people infected with coronavirus in this commune. But the inhabitants met near the future  screening center are still skeptical, like Jean-Louis, who kills time in the Toit Rouge district.

His activity as a trader at the large market in Adjamé was greatly reduced due to the health crisis. A crisis of which he doubts the extent: no one around him shows symptoms, while the television news shows no image of the patient. “  Here in Ivory Coast we don't see the cases. At least among whites, we show cases on TV, here there are 100, there are 200, there are 300 ... but we don't see one on TV! So we believe in it but we doubt a little, is it true? We don't have enough information  . ” 

The virus is " on the other side of the lagoon " ...

Olivier, himself, considers that Yopougon is preserved from the disease. I could believe it if I saw it, at least on TV, on TV at home here. But it's not in Yopougon ... it's in Cocody!  "

The virus would hit the neighborhoods of Cocody or Marcory, on the other side of the lagoon. So why set up a center near them, at the risk of spreading the disease?

Also to listen:  Infox on the Covid-19 in Africa: update with Samba Dialimpa Badji from the Africa Check site 

How can we believe that they are going to come and set up a center for coronavirus patients, a virus which he knows is killing, is indignant Olivier ..., set up a center like this in the city?" It's not normal, it's not normal. There it is in the city, there are families, there are children here. We can't put a corona center in the city ... if the population complains, they are right ...  ".

However in Yopougon, the virus is already circulating. According to the Ministry of Health, at least 49 people have been infected in the commune. Experts expect a sharp increase in the number of cases in the coming days. 

And in Ivory Coast, on Saturday 59 new cases of coronavirus were reported, bringing to 801 the number of confirmed cases, including 239 cured and 8 deaths. 

Also listen : in Côte d'Ivoire, the interior of the country is slowing down 

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  • Ivory Coast
  • Health and Medicine
  • Coronavirus

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