Niger Reports 36th COVID-19 Case in Africa

South African citizens spraying hand sanitizer to prevent the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] Niger has become the 36th country in Africa to report confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

According to dpa news agency on the 20th, a man in Niger, a country in West Africa, tested positive for COVID-19.

The Niger Ministry of Health announced in a statement broadcast on TV the previous night that the patient, who works for a transportation company, traveled from Niamey, the capital of Niger, to Accra, the capital of Ghana, and passed through Abidjan in C?te d'Ivoire and Ouagadougou in Burkina Faso. The local health department added that the Niger patient is currently in stable condition.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Africa currently has more than 700 confirmed cases and at least 17 deaths.

South Africa's confirmed cases reached 150 as of the 19th, an increase of 34 from the 18th. The South African Ministry of Health expects the number of confirmed cases to surpass 200 by the 20th.

To block COVID-19, South Africa plans to build or repair a 40 km barrier along the border with Zimbabwe.

Nigeria, Africa's most populous country, also announced on the 19th that all schools will be closed and religious gatherings will be restricted in the capital Abuja and the economic city Lagos.

In particular, Lagos is home to large churches where thousands of worshippers gather every weekend.

Although Nigeria's confirmed cases are still only 12, it is strengthening measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, including closing three international airports starting from the 21st.