The Ministry of Health of Ethiopia today announces finding four more coronavirus (COVID-19) patients. This will increase to the total number of people infected by the global pandemic in Ethiopia to 16.
The new victims of COVID-19 includes one Mauritius national and three Ethiopians of two have no travel history, according to the statement from the Ministry. It is stated that so far 718 laboratory tests are conducted by the Ethiopian Public Health Institute. In a related development, the Government of Ethiopia has decided to close all schools for another two weeks as of today, according to the statement of the Office of the Prime Minister.
The Government of Ethiopia today also announced that passengers coming to Ethiopia, who can’t afford to self-quarantine for two weeks covering their own hotel expenses will be taken to Addis Ababa Science and Technology University for 15 days to be quarantined. Today’s decision also includes warning all religious institutions in Ethiopia to strictly adhere to the social distancing principle recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). Otherwise the government will be forced to exercise it constitutional rights to ban any kind of religious activities during such national crisis.
It is indicated that some 134 areas throughout Ethiopia are identified to serve as quarantine and treatment places for COVID-19 suspects and patients in case the pandemic spreads in the country. Meanwhile the statement from the Office also urges the public to contribute financially for the national fund raising committee to fulfill medical equipment’s to these health facilities.
“…the government calls upon all citizens to strengthen the efforts of the national resource mobilization committee which is in the process of finding materials like beds, mattresses, bed sheets, ventilators and other medical and non-medical supplies,” the statement said.