African nations step up measures against virus

African governments continue to roll out stringent measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus which has taken the lives of more than 200 people across the continent.

Burundi has blocked cargo trucks from Kenya and Uganda via Rwanda, even after the various governments agreed to facilitate free movement of goods in the region during the pandemic.

South Africa’s Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize has raised concerns about increasing numbers of coronavirus local transmission cases in the country.

The government has now stepped up door to door testing and screening, with the country’s national health laboratory service deploying mobile sampling units across the country.

The mobile units reportedly have the capacity to process 5,000 samples a day.

At the same time, the South African government has given in to pressure from the taxi industry which was threatening to go on strike due to restrictions on passenger numbers.

Taxis are now to allowed to carry more passengers – as long as they wear masks - despite the threat of the spread of the pandemic.

In Kenya, the government has confirmed 22 new Covid-19 cases.

Meanwhile nine members of Uganda’s famous children’s choir are in a stable condition after testing positive. The group was on tour in the U.S and Canada two weeks ago.