Speaking at an online press conference, Ms. Moeti said that the situation was very complicated and that regional governments should make efforts to screen all people who have come into contact with cases of returning from abroad. , to isolate and prevent SARS-CoV-2 virus from spreading to the community.
In addition, Ms. Moeti called on countries in Africa to prepare for a wider spread of the COVID-19 scenario, strengthening public awareness campaigns to ensure people remain isolated. society to help curb the spread of SARS-CoV-2 virus, and to implement other necessary solutions such as suspending air traffic.
Meanwhile, the head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC Africa) John Nkengasong said African leaders are working with partners to ensure the supply of essential medical equipment. weak as ventilator in case of increased infection. Mr. Nkengasong affirmed that countries with advanced industrial facilities such as South Africa, Egypt and Morocco could be the place to produce these equipments if necessary.
In Africa, although the COVID-19 epidemic has a slower transmission rate than Asia or Europe, the SARS-CoV-2 virus has been present in more than 40 countries in the region, with over 2,800 cases and over 70 deaths.
South Africa currently issues blockades nationwide for a period of 21 days, while some countries like Egypt and Kenya are also imposing a curfew from the previous night to the next morning to prevent the disease. spread.
In addition, a series of African countries closed their borders when the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic threatened to turn this 1.3 billion continent into an alarming new front.
* South Africa’s Ministry of Health on March 26 announced, in the past 24 hours, the number of new SARS-CoV-2 viruses that cause COVID-19 acute respiratory infections in the country has increased by 218 cases, bringing the total the number of cases infected to 927 people, almost doubled compared to the beginning of last week in the context of just a few hours South Africa began applying nationwide blockade orders within 21 days.
Medical personnel take a COVID-19 sample at a mobile testing station in Johannesburg, South Africa on March 19, 2020. Photo: THX / TTXVN
According to the Vietnam News Agency correspondent in Pretoria, Gauteng Province - where the administrative capital Pretoria and the capital of Johannesburg are located, continues to be the locality with the most cases with 409 cases, followed by the Western Cape with 229 cases. Notably, many new cases of SARS-CoV-2 in South Africa in recent days stemmed from the spread in the community and in the family.
On the same day, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa called on the World Leading Group of Emerging and Emerging Economies (G20), especially members with the most developed economies, to support stimulus packages. economic development for Africa in the context of the rapidly spreading COVID-19 epidemic, depleting all of the continent’s resources. The President of South Africa said he and the leaders of the nations in the region have also proposed the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank (WB) to consider relaxing and writing off debt for African countries.
At an online meeting of G20 leaders opening the same morning, Mr. Ramaphosa also suggested that developing countries in the group should continue implementing programs to supply medicine and medical equipment for Africa. According to the President of South Africa, the nations of the continent have established a COVID-19 Prevention Fund with an initial contribution of $ 17 million.
Regarding the nationwide blockade order, which will take effect from 24 hours March 26 to April 16, President Ramaphosa met with representatives of the South African police and military forces to give instructions. stronger in strengthening the effective enforcement of blockade as well as ensuring security during the implementation.
During the period of the blockade in effect, people are not allowed to leave the house except in special cases such as going to the doctor, buying essential food, medicine and receiving benefits. Subjects not covered by the blockade order will include medical forces, armed forces against the epidemic prevention force, people involved in the production, processing, circulation of food and goods. essential chemicals, banking services, maintenance of electricity - water systems and telecommunications.
