Confirmed Coronavirus Cases in Ethiopia Exceed 100
ADDIS ABEBA – Ethiopia has reported nine new coronavirus infected patients today, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 105.
Minister of Health Dr. Lia Tadesse said 659 people have been tested in the past twenty-four. “Of these, nine of them confirmed positive for COVID-19,” the minister said in a daily report released on Saturday.
An Equatorial Guinea national is among the newly confirmed cases of coronavirus.
The report shows a spike in confirmed cases of Ethiopia’s eastern city, Dire Dawa where three tested positive for the virus. The patients traveled from Djibouti and were quarantined.
Jimma city has also recorded its first confirmed case COVID-19. The ministry described her as a 20-year-old who came from Lebanon “before the mandatory is in effect”.
The remaining four patents are residents of Addis Ababa – one was in a mandatory quarantine upon returning from the U S. and the other three contacted the virus from the previously confirmed case.
Health officials fear cases of the virus could rise in this holiday season during which practicing physical distancing could be an issue.
Dr. Lia has strongly urged Ethiopians to cover their mouse and nose with face/cloth mask, to frequently handwashing as well as to avoid handshaking.
“Maintain physical distancing strictly adhere to precautionary measures to protect yourself, your loved ones and your community from the virus,” she said.
To date, Ethiopia has reported three deaths due to the virus while sixteen patients recovered.
