Four new coronavirus cases confirmed in Rwanda

Four new cases of the novel coronavirus, also known as Covid-19, have been confirmed in Rwanda, bringing the total of identified cases to five, the Ministry of Health announced on Sunday, March 15.

"Four additional coronavirus cases were identified through positive tests today, bringing the confirmed total to five," the statement from the Ministry of health reads in part. 

The identified cases are of a 34-year-old Rwandan who arrived from South Sudan on March 6, and his brother, a 36-year-old who arrived from Fiji via United States of America and Qatar on March 8.

The third case is of a 30-year-old man in Kigali with no recent travel history.  The fourth case is of a 22-year-old Ugandan who arrived in Rwanda from London on March 15, according to the statement. 

"All patients are currently under treatment in stable condition, isolated from other patients," the ministry said, adding that authorities are currently conducting all contacts for further management. 

Rwanda's first coronavirus case was confirmed on Saturday, of an Indian citizen who arrived from Mumbai, India, on March 8, but never showed symptoms initially until March 13 when he was tested positive.

The ministry of health has urged all residents of Rwanda to continue to observe all instructions from health authorities, particularly by washing hands regularly, avoiding large gatherings, and reporting any symptoms by calling the toll-free number 114 or contacting a medical professional. 

On Saturday, President Paul Kagame also urged Rwandans and Rwandan residents that: "panic in this situation does not help. Focus and simple but effective measures are key to keeping each other and everyone safe,”

Declared as a pandemic by the World Health Organisation (WHO), COVID-19 which was first reported in Wuhan China in Late December 2019, has quickly spread to almost every corner of the world.

In the last two weeks, the virus has been confirmed in some African countries including Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria, Morocco, Ethiopia, Kenya, Senegal, Togo, Cameroon, Burkina Faso, Democratic Republic of Congo, South Africa, Nigeria, Côte d'Ivoire, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, and Sudan.

BY ATHAN TASHOBYA