Africa

Covid cases surging in Tanzania, says US embassy as government downplays virus

February 11, 2021. Summarized by summa-bot.

Compression ratio: 47.7%. 1 min read.

Covid-19 case numbers in Tanzania have risen considerably since January, says the United States embassy in the country's largest city, Dar es Salaam.

(CNN)Covid-19 case numbers in Tanzania have risen considerably since January, says the United States embassy in the country's largest city, Dar es Salaam.

Tanzania has not reported Covid-19 cases or deaths since late April.

"There are some of our fellow Tanzanians who recently did travel abroad in search of corona vaccines, they are the ones who brought back corona in our country after returning," Magufuli said at an event on January 27.

The World Health Organization (WHO) urged officials in Tanzania earlier this month to follow science in the fight against Covid-19.

Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, WHO's regional director, said Africans should get vaccinated as soon as possible in a Thursday press briefing marking one year of Covid-19 on the continent.

"Ensuring equitable access to #COVID19 vaccines & sustaining the public health measures are the critical priorities to overcome this crisis," said Moeti, who was last month critical of Tanzania's efforts to fight the pandemic.

During a news conference on February 1, Tanzania's Health Minister Dorothy Gwajima didn't say when the country will start receiving vaccines but instead reiterated the government's suggested hygiene practices, which include drinking plenty of water and taking local herbs, which the government claims, without evidence, can combat the virus.

"Tanzania's neighbours need to understand that as long as Tanzania refuses to be a responsible partner in this battle against Covid-19, the entire region remains vulnerable!" Zitto Kabwe said in a tweet on Wednesday.

In another tweet last month, he said Tanzanians should have the right to vaccinations and called those ruling Tanzania conspiracy theorists.

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