KINSHASA, March 21, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – The Democratic Republic of Congo on
Saturday reported its first coronavirus death, along with five new cases.
The country has reported 23 cases total since March 10, and the death
brings the total number of fatalities in sub-Saharan Africa to three,
following those announced in Burkina Faso and Gabon this week.
The health minister confirmed the fatality, which occurred Friday, along
with the new cases.
“All are Congolese. Our teams are taking care of them,” Eteni Longondo said
on Twitter Saturday.
Though Congolese authorities did not offer information about the deceased
patient, local media said he is a close relative of an unnamed minister who
has herself tested positive.
“I am a doctor before I am a minister. I care about the confidentiality of
the sick, I cannot confirm today that any member of the government or anyone
is sick,” Longondo told UN radio station Okapi on Friday.
Local media have reported that several ministers have been tested for
COVID-19 in the country, though Justice Minister Celestin Tunda Ya Kasende
said in a statement on Friday that he was not ill with the virus.
On Friday, the Congolese authorities also fleshed out preventative
measures, especially in the capital Kinshasa, home to at least 10 million
people where cases have so far been concentrated.
The streets of the normally bustling city were calm Friday, after schools,
bars, restaurants and places of worship were closed, while officials said
they would limit the number of people on public transport.