Mumbai man tests positive in Rwanda

KIGALI: An Indian national in Rwanda has tested positive for the novel coronavirus, becoming the first confirmed case of Covid-19 in the east African country, health officials said on Saturday.

The country’s health ministry, in a statement, said that the Indian citizen arrived here from Mumbai on March 8.

“The patient had no symptoms upon arrival in Rwanda and reported himself to a health facility on March 13, where he was immediately tested,” the ministry said on Twitter.

He is currently under treatment in stable condition, isolated from other patients, the statement said, adding that the tracing of all contacts has been conducted for further management.

The Rwandan health ministry advised all residents of Rwanda to continue to observe all instructions from health authorities, particularly by washing hands regularly, avoiding large gatherings, and reporting any symptoms by calling the toll-free number 114.

This is the second case in east Africa, after Kenya recorded the first case of Covid-19 on Friday.

The deadly novel coronavirus that first originated in the Chinese city of Wuhan in December last year has claimed over 5,000 lives and infected more than 134,000 people across 110 countries and territories, with the World Health Organisation describing the outbreak a pandemic on Wednesday.

In India, the number of coronavirus cases rose to 84 on Saturday, which includes one death each from Delhi and Karnataka.

The Indian government has stepped up screening at all major airports, land borders and on all sea ports, with a special vigil for 12 high risk countries including China, and Italy which has recorded the second highest number of cases. The country has also suspended all visas for a month.