Africa (except North Africa)

CONAKRY, April 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Guinea’s President Alpha Conde, has enacted a new constitution following a referendum last month on changes that critics fear are aimed at extending his time in office.

After months of tensions, Conde enacted the new charter by decree read on national television on Monday, the same day he approved a 292 million euro ($315 million) “economic response plan” to the coronavirus pandemic.

Changing the constitution was hugely controversial in the west African nation, spurring mass demonstrations that left dozens dead.

KAMPALA, Apr 5 (NNN-XINHUA) – Uganda, on Saturday, started relief food distribution to about 1.5 million urban poor, who are affected by the lock-down, as a measure to contain the COVID-19 outbreak in the country.

Prime Minister, Ruhakana Rugunda, flagged off the door-to-door food distribution, which started in Bwaise, a suburb in the capital Kampala.

“We have today flagged off a government relief food distribution programme, to vulnerable individuals who have been affected by the lock-down measures,” said Rugunda.

KAMPALA, April 4 (Xinhua) -- Uganda on Saturday started relief food distribution to about 1.5 million urban poor who are affected by the lockdown as a measure to contain the COVID-19 outbreak in the country.

Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda flagged off the door-to-door food distribution which started in Bwaise, a suburb in the capital Kampala.

"We have today flagged off a government relief food distribution program to vulnerable individuals who have been affected by lockdown measures," said Rugunda.

PRETORIA, April 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) — One week into South Africa’s nationwide lockdown to prevent the spread of coronavirus, and it is tempting – dangerously tempting – to breathe a sigh of relief.

After all, look at how much has already been achieved. More than 47,000 people have been tested, and 67 mobile testing units have been organised.

There are even drive-through testing centres. Soon the country will be able to test 30,000 people every day. To date, only five deaths from the virus have been confirmed. About 1,400 have tested positive for Covid-19.

ABUJA, April 4 (NNN-AFRICANEWS) — There are now more than over 6,700 confirmed cases of coronavirus across the continent, with a number of African countries imposing a range of prevention and containment measures against the spread of the pandemic.

According to the latest data by the Africa Center for Disease Control on COVID-19 in Africa, the breakdown remains fluid as countries confirm cases as and when. The whole of Africa has rising cases with a handful of countries holding out.

DURBAN, April 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Tributes are being paid to world-renowned South African scientist Gita Ramjee, who has died from Covid-19-related complications.

“She dedicated many years of her life to finding HIV prevention solutions for women,” her colleague and friend Gavin Churchyard said.

Head of UNAids Winnie Byanyima said Prof Ramjee’s death was a huge loss at a time when the world needed her most.

South Africa has the largest number of people living with HIV in the world.

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — Some African countries will have more than 10,000 coronavirus cases by the end of April, health officials projected Thursday, as the continent least equipped to treat serious infections has an “enormous gap” in the number of ventilators and other critical items.

While cases across Africa are now above 6,000 at what has been called the dawn of the outbreak, the continent is “very, very close” to where Europe was after a 40-day period, the head of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr. John Nkengasong, told reporters.

NAIROBI, April 1 (Xinhua)--The African Development Bank (AfDB) said Wednesday it has approved around 208 million Kenyan shillings (about 2 million U.S. dollars) in emergency assistance for the World Health Organization (WHO) to strengthen its capacity to help African countries contain the COVID-19 pandemic and mitigate its impacts.

AfDB said WHO Africa region will use the funds to bolster the capacity of 41 African countries on infection prevention, testing and case management.

NAIROBI, April 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Panic over the global coronavirus pandemic has led to discrimination of foreigners in East Africa.

From Ethiopia, to Kenya and the Democratic Republic of Congo, Westerners have been verbally and physically abused over fears that they may be infected with Covid-19, the respiratory illness caused by the virus.

This is because many of the first cases of the virus reported in the region, were brought in by travellers from Europe and the US.

PRETORIA, March 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) — South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa has launched a mass screening programme for coronavirus.

The president said 10,000 field workers will be visiting homes to screen people – and those found with symptoms will be quarantined either in their homes or in hospitals.

Ramaphosa said the programme in a “new phase” in the fight against the spread of the virus.

The government is also developing technology that will help in tracking down all people who may have contacted people infected with the virus.