Ethiopia records first case of coronavirus as infection spreads

Ethiopia Records First Case of Coronavirus as Infection Spreads

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - The Ethiopian Ministry of Health has confirmed the country's first case of coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, as the global outbreak continues to spread.

According to a statement released by the Ministry, the patient is a 48-year-old male who had recently traveled to Italy, one of the countries most affected by the virus. The patient was admitted to a hospital in Addis Ababa, the capital city, on March 13, 2020, after showing symptoms of fever, cough, and shortness of breath.

The patient is currently receiving treatment and is in stable condition, according to the Ministry. Contact tracing has been initiated to identify anyone who may have come into contact with the patient, and the Ministry has advised that anyone who has traveled to Italy in the past 14 days should self-isolate for 14 days.

Ethiopia has taken several measures to prevent the spread of the virus, including:

  1. Suspending all international flights to and from Italy and other affected countries.
  2. Closing all schools and universities until further notice.
  3. Restricting public gatherings and events.
  4. Increasing the number of health facilities and personnel to respond to the outbreak.
  5. Conducting awareness campaigns to educate the public on the risks and prevention measures.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the COVID-19 outbreak a global pandemic, and many countries have reported cases of the virus. The Ethiopian government has urged citizens to remain calm and follow the guidelines set by the Ministry of Health to prevent the spread of the virus.

Prevention Measures:

To prevent the spread of COVID-19, the Ethiopian Ministry of Health recommends the following measures:

  1. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
  2. Use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
  3. Avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness, such as coughing and sneezing.
  4. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
  5. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your elbow when coughing or sneezing.
  6. Avoid sharing food, drinks, or utensils.
  7. Stay at least 1 meter (3 feet) away from anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness.

Stay Informed:

For the latest updates on COVID-19 in Ethiopia, please visit the Ministry of Health's website or follow their social media accounts.