Ethiopia confirms first case of coronavirus

Ethiopia has confirmed its first case of coronavirus as disclosed by the country's public health institute on Friday March 13.



The index case of coronavirus in the country is said to be a 48-year-old Japanese man who arrived Ethiopia from Burkina Faso last week.



Liya Kebede, Ethiopia’s health minister said at a press briefing;



“We confirm that a Japanese man who is 48 years of age, has tested positive for the virus. This is the first case in Ethiopia.

“The Japanese man arrived in Ethiopia from Burkina Faso last week, and he is now receiving medical treatment. He is in good condition.”


Liya who expressed readiness of her country to tackle the coronavirus pandemic, said they are already identifying people who were in close contact with the patient.



The global death toll is now nearly 5,000 with more than 132,000 confirmed cases according to the World Health Organization.