The Burundian Minister of Health has just announced two cases that have tested positive. They are all Burundian and were infected outside the country’s borders.
Dr Thaddée Ndikumana, Burundi’s Minister of Health, announced two cases of those infected with the coronavirus on the evening of Tuesday 31 March. He used the official Twitter account of the Burundian government.
The two people were in solitary confinement at the Hotel Bumerec in Bujumbura. All are Burundian nationals. But one, aged 56, reportedly came from Rwanda and the other, aged 42, from Dubai.
The Institut Français du Burundi had decided on 30 March, before the government’s announcement, to suspend all its activities for a period of 30 days, renewable after assessment of the situation. The French Institute’s press release added that “this measure follows the suspension of cultural activities that took effect on 18 March.
After Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda and Tanzania, Burundi becomes the 5th country in the East African Community to be affected by the coronavirus.
Kenya has 59 patients, Rwanda 75, Uganda 33 and Tanzania 19.
Gerard Rugambwa
