Burundi records highest cases of Covid-19 after festive season

A medic collects samples from a man for Covid-19 testing. Burundi government has announced 40 new Covid-19 cases. PHOTO | FILE | NMG

Summary

• Burundi was among countries that were heavily criticised for lack of action in combating the pandemic last year.
• The recently elected president then launched a mass testing campaign that saw 87,404 people tested.

By The EastAfrican

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Burundi has announced 40 new Covid-19 cases, the highest number of cases recorded in the country within two days since the first positive case was announced in March last year.

The Ministry of Health said that on January 4, some 10 people tested positive for the virus when they went to get tested in preparation for travel. The government then began tracing their contacts and as a result some 284 people were tested.

“[Among] the 284 people who were tested, 30 of them tested positive for the virus which means that 40 people tested positive in the last two days,” said Burundi’s Health Minister Thadde Ndikumana.

According to the Burundian government, the total Covid-19 cases as of January 5, stood at 884 with 109 active cases, 2 fatalities and 773 recoveries recorded.

Last week, Burundi’s President Evariste Ndayishimiye vowed to severely punish officials and individuals who breach Covid-19 measures.

“We have heard some top officials using their offices to sneak in their relatives without going through a mandatory test. Whoever will be caught will be considered a criminal and will face the law,” he said.