Zim among African countries to start testing for COVID-19 antibodies
ADDIS ABABA — Seven African countries will start administering coronavirus antibody tests from next week, a regional body said on Thursday, as part of efforts to understand the extent of the outbreak on the continent.
“Liberia, Sierra Leone, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Cameroon, Nigeria, Morocco are the first set of countries that committed to it,” said John Nkengasong, head of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, based in Addis Ababa.
Western governments are using antibody tests to find out how many of their citizens have been infected, in the hope that will help them reopen their economies.
Africa has so far conducted 9.4 million coronavirus tests, a 10% increase over last week, Nkengasong said.
These tests show whether people currently have COVID-19.
The continent’s relative isolation has so far spared it the worst of the pandemic, but low levels of testing in many countries mean Africa’s infection rates are likely to be higher than reported, experts say.
As of Thursday, Africa had recorded more than a one million cases of COVID-19 and 24 113 deaths, according to a Reuters tally.
Nkengasong said 25 African countries still have full border closures, while 23 are imposing testing at entry points.
He stressed the need to harmonise border testing and recognition of certificates in order to facilitate travel.
—Reuters
THE country’s business sector has a key role to play in resuscitating the country’s economy if it is working with the government, a local businessman has said.
Danmore Mambondiyani, director and co-founder of Liquid Cargo Africa, an black indigenous petroleum company, yesterday told NewsDay Weekender that he supported President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s engagement of the local business people.
Mambondiyani (28) is probably the youngest and yet one of the biggest player in petroleum transportation and logistics in Zimbabwe.
The businessman also blasted the imposition of sanctions on Sakunda Holdings and its chief executive Kudakwashe Tagwirei by the United States on allegations that he is involvement in shoddy dealings with Mnangagwa to grow his business.
“Business sector is important in the development of Zimbabwe, mainly if it is working with government. You have seen that the President is always moving with the captains of industry in his engagement and re-engagement effort sourcing for investments,” he said.
“However, now we are witnessing that these captains of industry are targeted and punished for no apparent reason, but only aligning with their government.
“I believe that these sanctions are only targeting pillars of the economy of Zimbabwe, since the country was not put under punitive measures for exercising its right to determination, there is need for local people to rescue it.”