5,406 cases of COVID-19 in Africa – WHO

The World Health Organisation (WHO), Regional Office for Africa in Brazzaville, Congo, says there are now 5,406 confirmed cases of Coronavirus (COVID-19) on African continent.

The UN’s health agency gave the update in its regional official twitter account @WHOAFRO on Wednesday.

“In the past 24 hours, three new countries have reported cases of COVID-19 in African Region.

“The countries are Botswana, Burundi and Sierra Leone.’’

The agency said Sierra Leone Ministry of Health reported the country’s first case of COVID19 on Tuesday.

“The 37- year -old male returned from France on 16 March and was immediately put in mandatory quarantine for 14 days.

“He tested positive at the end of his quarantine period,’’ It said.

According to the agency, there are 157 deaths reported across 46 countries on the continent.

“South Africa currently has the highest in the region with 1,353 cases and five deaths, Algeria 584 cases with 35 deaths and Burkina Faso has 261 confirmed cases with 14 deaths.

“As at 12:30 pm April 1, there are 151 confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported in Nigeria; nine have been discharged with two deaths,’’ it stated.