Since the emergence of the novel virus, several countries have recorded tremendous impacts. Economies have deteriorated, many have lost their lives, hassle, and even families. However, amid the pandemic, nations have attempted to innovate survival methods. Rwanda for instance employed measures like lockdown, sanitization, social distancing, and masking have helped to contain the virus.
Ranked First in Africa
The Australian think tank Lowy Institute ranked Rwanda number one in Africa and sixth worldwide to manage the COVID-19 pandemic. This is because Rwandans have been so versatile amid the pandemic, creating awareness of the virus. The performance was based on 36 weeks assessment: Ie, the Lowry Institute rated 98 countries globally by looking at their performance for managing the pandemic. Togo came second in the continent and 15 globally.
How is Rwanda Managing COVID-19
The emergence of coronavirus made many countries brace about for control measures. As it was clear, the virus did not have a cure. Rwanda is one of the countries which reinstated Draconian measures to limit the spread of the virus.
Rwanda recorded its first coronavirus case around March last year. So how has it dealt with the pandemic? Rwanda began preparing for the virus at the time when it was still in Wuhan. They had set up a team of experts who would strengthen preparedness and response to the pandemic. When the virus became a pandemic, the country set up screening points at the airports and its borders.
At the airports, incoming passengers would undergo the screening process to check their temperatures and health. The government also scaled up to other measures like urging citizens to avoid personal contact, sneeze while covering their mouths, availing sanitization points, and providing civilians with masks.
They also urged people to limit their movements or even stay at home. And as the number of covid patients escalated, people understood the seriousness of the virus. They started abiding by the regulatory measures.
Although the pandemic had disrupted normalcy, it was a blessing in disguise for some people, as there was so much need for sanitizers, manufacturing soaps, disinfectants, sanitizers, and washes tabs. A manufacturer of handwashing soaps in Kigali was almost out of business, but as the soaps are necessary amid the pandemic, his sales boomed.
The current State of COVID-19 in Rwanda
Rwanda has confirmed a total of 14529 coronavirus cases, 9234 recoveries, and 183 deaths. Compared to other African countries, Rwanda’s tally is quite reasonable. According to analysis, the current count is because Rwanda recorded a spike in the cases amid the festive season the previous year. The Ministry of Health reported they had recorded 40% of the cases last year. The virus had surged from 0.5% to 3.6%. To date, infections in the country spread each week, with prisons reporting new cases daily. The total number of infected persons is equivalent to 1.3% of the country’s total population.
Meanwhile, vaccination plans are underway for most African countries, including Rwanda. Possibilities are the vaccines will be accessible come February. Although many controversies surround the vaccines’ distribution, Africans are optimistic they will get an equal share. In the meantime, Rwanda has increased its testing capacity. They have tested over 853,238 people.
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