Coronavirus: Africa and the pandemic on Thursday June 25

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Africa counted this Thursday, June 25, 337,762 confirmed cases of coronavirus. The Covid-19 has already claimed the lives of more than 8,000 people on the continent, according to the African Center for Disease Prevention and Control. According to figures published on the One site, the countries most affected by the pandemic are South Africa (111,796), Egypt (58,141), Nigeria (22,022), Ghana (15,013), Algeria (12,248), Cameroon (12,270) and Morocco (10,907).

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• Côte d'Ivoire, reopening of air borders on July 1

International flights, suspended since March due to the health crisis, may resume from July 1, Ivorian authorities announced on Thursday. But travelers arriving on Ivorian soil will be subject to "  arrival control and monitoring during their stay thanks to a geolocation system  ", assured the Minister of Health Eugène Aka Aoulé during a press point after a National Security Council.

Domestic flights will resume on June 26. But certain measures are maintained. The land and sea borders, however, remain closed until at least July 15, the minister said.

► Also listen: Ivory Coast: Ferkéssédougou, a city stopped because of the border closure

The state of emergency and the isolation of the Abidjan region also remain in force. The Ivorian capital alone concentrates 96% of the approximately 8,000 cases of coronavirus (including 58 dead) identified in the country according to the minister.

Ivory Coast, which had reduced its measures to combat the coronavirus a month ago with the lifting of a curfew, the gradual resumption of classes and the reopening of shops and restaurants, (except places of entertainment and clubs is one of the first African countries to announce the resumption of its international flights.

• Senegal, first case of Covid-19 in prisons

One detainee tested positive for coronavirus in prison administration in Senegal. "  This is a detainee newly placed under arrest warrant and admitted to the quarantine zone at the Thiès remand and correctional center  ," said a statement from the Ministry of Justice published on Thursday. It is the first confirmed case of Covid-19 in a prison in Senegal, because, still according to the press release from the Senegalese authorities, there are “  to date, no other case of Covid-19 in the 36 other penal establishments.  " from the country.

• Senegalese President Macky Sall in quarantine

The Senegalese president went into quarantine for two weeks. The announcement was made on Wednesday in a press release signed by Seydou Guèye, Minister of Communication and Communication to the Head of State, and read on national television (RTS). Macky Sall was in contact with a positive person at Covid-19. The President “  has had a negative income test. However, according to medical recommendations on the subject, the president quarantined himself for a period of two weeks from June 24,  ”according to this press release.

• Senegal, resumption of lessons in schools

The students returned to class after three months of interruption due to the coronavirus. This resumption of lessons only concerns students of the exam classes (CM2, third and final).

The latest figures from Covid-19 in Senegal show 94 deaths, 6,233 confirmed cases, 1,976 under treatment. Half a million students return to school as the virus continues to spread across the country. This did not fail to raise criticisms from teachers 'unions and parents' associations, which deplored the insufficient hygiene kits and the lack of water in certain establishments for hand washing.

► Read also: Coronavirus in Senegal: day of partial school resumption

This partial re-entry was effective after a first aborted attempt on June 2, due to the discovery of a dozen contaminations among the teachers. In addition to this difficulty, it is the beginning of the rainy season in Senegal. Some classrooms are sometimes flooded, making learning conditions even more complicated for students.

• South Africa, increasing number of cases in schools

The number of confirmed cases in schools is increasing in the North West Province of South Africa. According to the directorate of education in this province, 62 infected people have been identified in schools. 22 teachers, 6 students and 1 school director are among the infected. 14 schools in the department were closed after the new infections, according to the South African news site Eyewitness News .

"  All of our schools are attached to local clinics, and our school principals have been trained to isolate people with symptoms,  " said Elias Malindi, spokesperson for the education directorate for the North region. "  To date, 14 schools have been closed in the province and will reopen after being disinfected and decontaminated in accordance with the recommendations of the Ministry of Health,  " he added.

To date, the North-West province has 2,618 cases with 5 deaths, but the whole country has recorded 111,796 cases, including 2,205 deaths and 56,874 cures. Schools were allowed to reopen for certain classes less than a month ago, and several schools were forced to close after confirmed cases of contamination.

• Nigeria, 17 million euros to support research

The federal government has increased its research funding. From 5 billion, it rose to 7.5 billion naira, or about 17 million euros. This was decided on Wednesday at a board meeting in Abuja. An increase approved by Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari who also approved the creation of several medical research centers in medical schools. 12 research laboratories on Covid-19 and infectious diseases will also be created. The fund will also be used to finance research proposals on Covid-19 at universities in Nigeria.

• Zambia, immediate reopening of air borders

The Covid-19 pandemic is causing an economic crisis in most countries, including in African countries. To revive its economy, Zambia announced Thursday the immediate reopening of its air borders. “  We have to get back to work, including in the tourism sector. I am therefore announcing the immediate reopening of all international airports  , ”said Zambian President Edgar Lungu during a broadcast speech. He estimated at 20.8 billion kwacha (about 1 billion euros), the economic losses linked to the measures taken (closure of borders, schools, restaurants and places of leisure, ban on public gatherings ...) to stop the spread of the virus. But schools, cinemas and restaurants have already reopened. Edgar Lungu promised to implement strict health control measures to avoid relaunching the epidemic. To date, Zambia has 1,489 cases of infection, including 18 deaths.

• Sudan, the EU sends medical equipment

11 tonnes of medical equipment arrived on a humanitarian flight at Khartoum international airport on Wednesday. This material consists of protective equipment for caregivers and medication for the care of patients with Covid-19. According to the Sudanese news site Dabanga, this aid will go primarily to the most vulnerable Sudanese and to displaced people affected by the armed conflict in the country. A first humanitarian flight had arrived in Khartoum two weeks ago, still with medical equipment. According to official figures, Sudan has so far registered 8,889 confirmed cases and 548 deaths. And Sudan will receive assistance of 1.8 billion dollars from the conference of donor countries gathered Thursday by videoconference.

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  ”
→ “  Words of nurses  ”

• 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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• Coronavirus: the state of the world facing the pandemic
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