Press Statement on Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)
Global Situation
• By the time this press release was compiled, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) report on February 28, 2020, there are eighty-three thousand three hundred ten (83,310) confirmed cases and two thousand eight hundred fifty-eight (2,858) deaths because of COVID-19.
• 50 countries including the new reports from Brazil, Greece, Croatia, North Macedonia, Romania, Norway, Georgia, Switzerland, Netherland, Lithuania, Algeria, and Nigeria have reported COVID-19.
National Situation
Since January 24, 2020;
• Totally there were three hundred seventy-two thousand one hundred (372,100) passengers that have passed through the screening at all points of entries.
• Two hundred twenty thousand three hundred fifty-seven (220,357) passengers have passed the seven screening gates at Bole International Airport (BIA). Out of these five thousand four hundred seventy-six (5,476) are from countries that reported COVID-19 cases.
• A total number of eighty-two (82) rumors were received by EPHI’s Emergency Operation Center (EOC) and all have been investigated. Out of these rumors, twenty (20) had symptoms similar to COVID-19 and were in the Isolation Centre until their laboratory results proved. All of the suspected cases were tested negative and released from the Centre.
• There have been a total of three thousand nine hundred twenty-two (3,922) calls made to the toll-free line 8335, from which one thousand three hundred forty (1,340) were COVID -19 related.
Since the past press release on February 25, 2020
• There was a total of forty-seven thousand five hundred forty-five (47,545) passengers that have passed through the screening points at all entries.
• Twenty-eight thousand six hundred fifty (28,650) passengers have passed through the 7 screening gates at BIA. Out of these six hundred sixty (660) are from countries that reported COVID-19 cases.
• There have been five hundred sixteen passengers that completed their 14 days follow up. Currently, eight hundred seventy-five (875) passengers are under follow up.
• Eight (8) new rumors were received by the Institute’s Public Health Emergency Operation Centre. Three (3) of them met the case definition for COVID -19 and isolated. All tested negative.
Major activities on progress
• Health Partners and Donor communities made a visit the Emergency Operation Center in Ethiopian Public Health Institute and held a briefing meeting with the EPHI Director-General and Incident Manger
• The health section staff of the Chinese Embassy met with EPHI Director-General and discussed on how to collaboratively work on the prevention of COVID-19 followed by visiting the EOC
• Currently, the EOC in collaboration with the World Health Organization, Africa CDC and partners are providing orientation on COVID-19 and standard precautions for Ethiopian Airlines Flight Crew
• Training on preparedness for COVID-19 provided for management and professionals invited from various industrial parks
• Passengers with a history of travel to Korea, Japan, the Islamic Republic of Iran and Italy were included under the follow up after filling the health declaration form.
• A consultant from WHO- AFRO has visited the influenza laboratory in Ethiopian Public Health Institute and approved it is in full capacity to do the COVID- 19 test.
• Screening at Galafi land crossing in the Afar region has been initiated.
• Equipping and capacitating the isolation and treatment centers have been continued.
• Drill exercises to upgrade the skill of the health workers have been carried out regularly to strengthen the preparedness activity.
Regional preparation for COVID -19
Involvement and preparation of the regions in preparing towards preparedness, early detection and response with regards to COVID-19 is an essential step in making the response activity effective and efficient.
Activities have been carried out to replicate and align the national structure to regional and lower administrative structures.
These activities emphasize on preparing and equipping isolation center in each region, to expand the screening programs from the international airports to every airport with especial consideration to the tourist destination areas, to establish a rapid response team and follow up team at each region to facilitate the follow up of passengers at their respective residence and conducting training to increase the capacity of health workers to early detect and prompt response.
• Training has been given to all regions rapid response team
• In collaboration with Hawassa University, an isolation center has been established in Hawassa town. In addition to this, the same preparation activities have been started at Jinka and Arba Minch towns.
• In addition to the screening program at Gog, Dima, Lare, Wantawo, and Jikawo, an isolation center has been prepared at the Gambela region in coordination with the regional hospitals.
• In the Amhara region, a screening process has been continued at Metema land crossing and Bahir dar International Airport. The process has been started to start the screening process at Lalibela, Gonder, and Kombolcha airports.
• Screening is conducted at Dire Dawa International Airport and Dawale land crossing and an isolation center have been established.
• Oromiya Regional Health Bureau and PHEM provided training on COVID-19 preparedness and readiness for health officials drawn from zonal and district health offices and as well as for hospitals. In addition, isolation centers established in Bishoftu and Jimma Towns, while preparations are underway to establish isolation centers in Adama, Shashemene, Yabelo, and Nekemte
• Different industrial parks and construction companies have been isolating their workers with travel history to China for 14 days in their own isolation center
Precaution
If you have arrived from COVID-19 (Corona Virus disease) affected countries:
• Avoid close contact with other people as you proceed to your home and stay in isolation from family members or friends for 14 days.
• Please provide the right information about your health situation for follow up teams who call you daily for 14 days
• If you experience fever, cough, and shortness of breath, call 8335 immediately for medical help.
Ministry of Health and Ethiopian Public Health Institute Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
