Ethiopia has reported its first case of coronavirus, becoming the second latest country in Africa after Kenya to experience the deadly virus.
The report was confirmed by Addis Ababa’s Mayor Takele Uma Banti who said the patient is a Japanese citizen.
“We should avoid meetings and hand contacts,” the mayor wrote on Twitter.
There are now more than 102 cases recorded in 13 countries in Africa, according to the latest figures from the World Health Organization.
Egypt remains the nation with the most reported cases with 59, more than half of all confirmed cases on the continent.
Even as the virus spreads across the globe, Africa countries are tightening grip on preventive measures to keep the disease out and many are showing a strong level of preparedness to counter its spread.
In South Africa, 13 cases of the virus have been confirmed so far and citizens can now walk into private laboratories and pay for private coronavirus tests costing around Ksh.7,688, according to a local daily.
In Lagos, Nigeria, temperature screenings and use of hand sanitizers before entering public spaces such as banks, offices and restaurants are becoming mandatory to limit the spread of the disease.
Signs informing the public on the best practices to avoid contracting coronavirus can be seen in parts of the city.
