Burundi: alarming increase in positive Covid-19 cases
Burundians are washing their hands, as a precaution against Covid-19, in March 2020. AFP - ONESPHORE NIBIGIRA
Text by: RFI Follow
2 min
Burundi, one of the last two African countries not yet converted to vaccines, is facing a wave of Covid-19.
Many doctors speak of a "
catastrophic
"
situation
, especially as the authorities downplay by describing a situation under control.
The authorities no longer communicate on the Covid figures since the start of this new wave.
RFI obtained the September 13 situation report that the WHO compiles and then publishes based on government statistics.
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Officially, 257 positive cases for Covid-19 were tested on Sunday in Burundi, in practically all the medical districts of the country, according to this situation report released on Monday, which recognizes a "
resurgence
" of cases.
The average of 20 positive cases per day before July 21 has increased more than eightfold.
The number of officially recorded cases has, for example, increased by more than 30% over the past two weeks, still according to this text which also speaks of 12 deaths recorded to date.
But no one today believes in these official figures.
Doctors and ordinary citizens describe a country overwhelmed by this wave which has been neglected by the authorities, according to them.
"
The numbers are divided by three or four,
" said health workers.
Hospitals are overflowing with serious cases and there are scores of deaths every week, they lament, even though they have categorically refused to speak out publicly for fear of their lives.
And even if the government continues to assure against all odds that "
the situation is totally under control
", very strict measures have been announced locally in recent weeks.
And in Bujumbura, the mayor Jimmy Hatungima who warned this Tuesday against the resurgence of the Covid, instituted an equivalent fine of 40 euros for those who would go to a rally without a mask.
Almost double the gross monthly income per capita in this country.
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