Madagascar sends troops to virus hot spot

Madagascar's Government says it will dispatch 150 soldiers and doctors to an eastern town after two people died from the coronavirus and several bodies were found in the streets. A report on the News24 site notes that the Indian Ocean island nation has registered 527 infections and both deaths occurred in Toamasina. ‘Doctors must carry out thorough examinations to see if these deaths are caused by another illness ... or if they are really due to severe acute respiratory problems which is the critical form of Covid-19,’ said Hanta Vololontiana, spokesperson for the government's virus taskforce. Over the past week, more than 120 new cases have been confirmed on the island.

Full Fin24 report

‘We managed to get rid of Omar al-Bashir. How come we cannot get hold of this tiny coronavirus?’ asked Sudan’s Health Minister Akram al-Tom in March. With Sudan now having the highest number of cases (more than 2 000) and deaths (around 100) in East Africa, many people are are now asking the same question. However, BBC News reports that Tom is now ducking the media. The Ministry of Health has cancelled all press conferences – to abide by social-distancing rules – although it is unclear why it cannot hold them online. Tom does appear on television from time to time, but only to read a pre-recorded statement on the latest number of Covid-19 cases and casualties.

Full BBC News report