Burundi COVID-19 cases have passed a one thousand mark days after a mass testing campaign was relaunched in the country’s economic capital Bujumbura.
“We are delighted that the suspected cases after screening various people who were in contact with the previous 40 cases came out negative,”said Thaddée Ndikumana Burundi’s health minister.
Cases of Corona virus in Burundi drastically soared to 1245 in the last couple of days after the country reopened its airspace.
East African member states holding the highest number of COVID-19 imported cases in Burundi withTanzania (200),Rwanda (31), Kenya (18), Uganda (17). Other imported cases are passengers from Saudi Arabia (51), Ethiopia (10), Belgium (8) and DR Congo (9).
Burundi has stepped up measures to prevent the spread of the pandemic in the country, including wearing masks, social distancing, suspension of night clubs and washing hands before entering any public building.
Students were seen since last week wearing masks while at school despite being under 12 years as recommended by the World Health Organization.
“Headmasters are not allowed to impose wearing masks at schools for children,” said the country’s health minister.
“No one is allowed to close a school for fear of infections,” he added.
According to the government official data shows that the virus had spread to rural areas though Bujumbura holds the highest percentage of positive cases (70%).
Muyinga province with 13% with the remaining provinces estimated below one percent, as of January 18, 2021, 1245 people tested positive for covid-19, 773 recovered, 470 active cases and 2 fatalities.