Eritrea officially announced a virus-free status as of May 15 following the successful recovery of all 39 patients from Covid-19.
The Horn of Africa country had only two positive cases as of May 8. One of the two patients was discharged on May 11. The final patient was released on May 15 after standard tests at the National Laboratory. Consequently, Eritrea declared its virus-free status.
Eritrea joins Mauritania and Mauritius, who have also recorded full recovery. However, Mauritania has since registered new positive cases.
Eritrea has so far registered no deaths from the deadly virus. Eritrea, Madagascar, Mozambique, Seychelles, Lesotho, Central Africa Republic, Namibia, Uganda, and Rwanda; have so far registered zero deaths.
Random and extensive testing in Eritrea
As of May 17, extensive and random testing had been rolled out in areas of the Eritrean capital, Asmara. The Asmara tests constitute the first phase of the tests.
This, is in a bid to contain any possible cases and better understand the Covid-19 disease. Apart from targeting the capital city residents, the testing also has focused on residents of border areas.
A statement from the Eritrean taskforce overseeing the pandemic says the testing would be adjusted as per the results of the first phase of testing.
The statement read: The modalities for subsequent phases of testing will be determined by the outcome of the first phase as well as relevant global and regional realities and trends.”
The government has since kept the expected number of tests to be undertaken anonymous.
May 15, 2020 Announcement from Health Ministry
One patient has recovered fully after standard tests at the National Laboratory and was released from the hospital today.
This result means that all 39 confirmed cases in the country to-date have recovered fully. But as underlined last week, this important milestone should not induce complacency at this point.
Indeed, it is vital that every citizen continue to fully adhere to, and diligently implement, the GOE Guidelines in force until the ongoing task of detailed and comprehensive assessment to gauge the spread of the pandemic in the entire country with full certainty is accomplished.
Key Eritrean Virus Statistics as of May 17
- Total persons Quarantined – 3,486
- Countrywide Response Centers – 70 Centers
- Persons released from Quarantine – Over 2,400
- Persons still in Quarantine – Over 1,000
- Operational Quarantine Centers – 33 Centers.
- Total Confirmed Cases – 39
- Total Recovered Cases – 39
Steps taken by Country to combat COVID-19
- Mass random testing in specific pinned areas.
- A 21-day lockdown to curb the spread of the novel virus.
- Banning of commercial flights, closure of schools, and stoppage of public transport.
All these steps have worked in favor of Eritrea, as evidenced by the 100% recovery rate.
The focus of most African countries will be on Eritrea. At this point, any further steps the state will implement will be a subject of interest. Whether Eritrea would still have a 100% recovery rate, if there are any additional cases, will go through screening.
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