Dr. Lia Thanks Health Workers as COVID-19 Tests Number Exceeds 1mln Mark
ADDIS ABABA – Ethiopia’s Health Minister Dr. Lia Tadesse has thanked health workers at the frontline of Ethiopia’s fight against COVID-19 after the number of coronavirus tests surpassed a million mark.
The East African country reported 17 new deaths and 950 new cases of infections on Saturday after testing over 24, 500 people for the coronavirus on the day.
Ethiopia’s coronavirus cases tally has shown a significant after the government stepped up its testing effort with a month-long testing campaign which began at the start of August.
The test conducted on Saturday took the total number of coronavirus tests in Ethiopia to 1, 018, 847.
“As we pass one million COVID19 tests, I would like to sincerely thank all our health workers working tirelessly,” said Dr. Lia on Sunday.
The minister made a special mention to sample collectors, lab technicians, rapid response and logistic teams, contact tracers, drivers and all coordinators for their special effort in her thank you message.
As COVID-19 is a new pathogen, Ethiopia, along with many other countries initially did not have the capacity to diagnose it. But now, each region and administration of the country has at least one coronavirus testing center.
Together with increasing capacities of the facilities, authorities imposed various measures which include making wearing face makes mandatory.
Dr. Lia has praised the public for sticking with guidelines set forward to curb the spread of COVID-19 – a respiratory illness caused by a coronavirus.
“I also thank the community for your support in the process and for wearing masks, practicing social distancing, and hand hygiene to stop the spread,” the minister said.
Ethiopia recorded 915 new cases on August 5, bringing total cases to nearly 57, 466 including 897 deaths, according to data from the Ministry of Health.
On the same date, health officials reported the recovery of 164 patients, taking the tally of recoveries to 20, 776.
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Featured Image: As COVID-19 is a new pathogen, Ethiopia, along with many other countries initially did not have the capacity to diagnose it. Adamu Tayachew heads an eight-member technician team at the National Influenza and Arbovirus Laboratory. [Photo File]
