Coronavirus: Africa and the pandemic on Sunday June 14

Text by: RFI Follow

Africa counted this Sunday, June 14, 233,732 confirmed cases of coronavirus. The Covid-19 has already claimed the lives of 6,253 people on the continent, according to the African Center for Disease Prevention and Control. The countries most affected by the pandemic are South Africa (65,736 cases), Egypt (42,980), Nigeria (15,682), Ghana (11,442), Algeria (10,810), Cameroon (8,929) and Morocco (8,732).

Publicity

• Algeria slightly eases anti-Covid measures

One of the most affected countries on the continent (760 dead and 7,420 healings) continues its policy of "progressive" deconfinement that began last week. Certain businesses are authorized to reopen since this Sunday: hairdressers, clothing and shoe stores, car rental agencies. In addition, urban transport within the wilayas (prefectures) is again possible but road transport between regions remains prohibited.

Taxis can therefore, in theory, return to work. But the drastic measures discourage more than one. Drivers have the obligation to take only one customer - at the rear of the vehicle - and to install a plexiglass protection between the front and the rear. Other potential dissatisfied: the owners of cafes and restaurants in the two largest cities, Algiers and Oran. They cannot reopen their business at the moment. Schools and universities, stadiums, mosques and village halls remain closed.

Partial containment is maintained in 29 of the 48 Algerian wilayas. But in these prefectures, the curfew is lightened: previously set from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., it now runs from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Finally, wearing a mask remains mandatory (since May 24).

• In the Central African Republic, places of worship reopen slowly

The cathedral of the capital Bangui will reopen for mass next Sunday, but many small neighborhood churches have reopened this Sunday to celebrate the service. This Sunday, the catholics banguissois thus prayed in front of the cathedral failing to enter there. Friday, the Head of State, Faustin Archange Touadéra had indeed announced flexibility in measures to combat the spread of the new coronavirus including the reopening of places of worship, but also the gradual reopening of schools. Wearing a mask is however made compulsory in public places. The latest official assessment shows 2,222 confirmed cases with 7 deaths and 369 recoveries.

• Tamatave private schools in Madagascar seek state support

The 260 private schools in the big city on the east coast of the Big Island are appealing for help to the authorities . The largest port in the country, this city of 300,000 has the highest number of Covid-19 cases. In mid-April, schools were able to reopen their doors in the rest of the island for pupils in the examination class, but in Tamatave lessons are completely suspended to avoid the spread of the new coronavirus.

This situation is no longer tenable said, on Saturday, directors and teachers of private schools. Those responsible for private education in Tamatave, essential in the city which has only 32 public establishments, are demanding support measures or financial aid for schools and staff or "  other means so that families who are in education workers in Madagascar are not left behind  ”.

• Covid-19 reception centers are overwhelmed in Guinea-Bissau

Guinea-Bissau surpassed the 1,460 confirmed Covid-19 on Saturday 13 June (15 deaths, 153 healings), according to official data. The number of cases is increasing but the country has only three reception centers, which are now overcrowded. Medical oxygen is lacking, which forces nursing staff to sort between patients. “  We give oxygen to the most serious cases, testifies on RFI doctor Valdir Djalo, head of the service dedicated to the disease caused by the new coronavirus which takes care of 70 patients. As soon as the patient gives signs of recovery, we remove the device to pass it to someone else.  The only solution for now is to leave the less serious cases at home. This increases the risk of community contagion.

Another alarming finding, part of the population of Guinea-Bissau seems not to want to respect the measures intended to slow the transmission of the virus . “  People do not respect the barrier measures, they party, they refuse to confine themselves. That does not help to contain the pandemic  ”, points Alexandro, technician at the laboratory of Simoes Mendes hospital, the largest hospital in the country.

To try to improve the situation, the authorities have set up a high commission coordinated by Doctor Magda Robalo, former Minister of Health. As the country's health structures do not allow effective treatment, the government is therefore banking on raising awareness among the population.

• World Blood Donor Day: Coronavirus Shatters Reserves in Senegal

While Senegal has surpassed this Sunday the 5,000 cases tested positive for Covid-19 (5,090) and now has 60 deaths for 3,344 healings, the blood shortage is becoming more acute. It is to try to remedy this worrying situation that the blood transfusion center located next to the Fann hospital in Dakar, organized, on Saturday, a special donation and awareness-raising operation, with the help of civil society. and political parties.

Dressing in the crook of the arm, Sala Diallo is proud to have donated her blood. "  I think it's a good thing, it helps save a lot of lives, " she explains to the RFI correspondent in Dakar. Everyone has to give their blood, if we are in good health, we have to help  ”. And the need is great since the country has recorded a 25% drop in blood donations, because of the pandemic which is causing fear when it comes to going to the hospital, and which has led the authorities to close ban gatherings.

Another pitfall of the period was the closure of universities. "  I can say that the 70% clientele of the blood transfusion center is the students," testifies Thierno Lecompte Seck, president of the national association of blood donors. So if they are not there especially during the month of Ramadan, then stocks will surely be very low.  "About 700 volunteers donated their blood during the day in Dakar which relieves Dr. Youssou Bamar, head of the collection service, worried about the shortage which"  has caused a lot of harm to patients followed for chronic diseases but also for patients that we saw urgently like women giving birth or injured  . "

At each entrance to buildings, donors had access to masks or soap, thanks to the help of a youth association. The objective is to maintain the momentum over the coming weeks.

• 43 countries still have their borders fully closed according to the AU

The African Center for Disease Prevention and Control (Africa CDC) takes stock of the measures taken on the continent to slow the progression of the disease. Forty-three African countries are still in a “completely closed borders” regime, while the night curfew has been activated in 35 countries.

The CDC also reports that seven African countries have imposed international air traffic closures, while two others have imposed travel restrictions to and from specific countries, and two others have also activated travel restrictions. enter exit. However, some states still allow the carriage of goods, cargo and emergency to and from their respective countries.

The African Union Center also notes that all states on the continent limit public gatherings, that 38 have closed educational facilities nationwide, while limited visits to prisons and hospitals have also been ordained in 20 countries. Amid growing efforts to limit the spread of Covid-19 in Africa, 18 countries have launched mass screening and testing, while 41 have imposed mandatory public use of masks.

• South African police hit by Covid-19

The South African Police Service (SAPS) lost 14 officers as a result of the disease caused by the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. 1,685 police officers tested positive according to the Minister of Police, Bheki Cele. The province of Western Cape is the most affected with 1,134 positive cases among the police (it is also the epicenter of the epidemic in the country). 600 agents are however cured and were able to return to work. But the number of police infections has almost doubled since the last government announcement on the subject in late May. South Africa is the most affected country on the continent with 65,736 confirmed cases with 1,423 deaths and 36,850 cures (the country has performed more than a million tests which, compared to other countries, is enormous and mechanically increases the number of positive cases).

• In Tanzania, football regains its rights

It is the first African country to relaunch its domestic championship. Four matches took place this weekend and are the first to be played in three months even if they are subject to a strict health protocol. Children and older supporters, considered to be the most vulnerable to Covid-19, are thus banned from stadiums.

Supporters in the stands must wear a mask, wash their hands with disinfectant gel or soap and submit to temperature control. Social distancing is a must in the stands, and the locker rooms are disinfected before and after each match. Since the appearance of Covid-19, all the African championships have stopped, except in Burundi.

Our selection on the coronavirus

• Listen to our Coronavirus Info column 

• Our  explanations  :
→  What we know about the mode of contagion
→  Disparities and inequalities in the face of the coronavirus
→  Triple therapy, Discovery… update on research
→  Remdesivir, antibodies and immunity
→  The race for the vaccine is in full swing
→  How to make a mask and use it well

• Our series  :
→ “  The response, country by country  ”
→ “  Nurses  ' words ”

• After Covid-19, towards a new world?

• See also the files of RFI Savoirs on the Covid-19:
→  Birth of a pandemic
→  Everyday life put to the test
→  The history of epidemics
→  Science facing the Covid-19
→  The geopolitical consequences

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