Thaddée Ndikumana, Minister of Public Health says there has not been any suspected case of COVID-19 in Burundi until 18 March.
Masks are only allowed to suspected cases, infected patients and health workers in Burundi
“There is no need to wear masks on the mouth. This is embezzlement and it creates panic among the population,” he says adding that only suspected cases, affected patients and health workers are allowed to wear masks.
On 17 March, “Ecole Française de Bujumbura” closed its doors following a suspected case of COVID-19 among its teaching staff. “French national Flore Matilde, 29, later on tested negative for the virus alongside her two neighbors,” he says.
The Minister explains that the teacher spent five days in Rwanda and would have been in contact with an infected person during her stay from 5 to 9 March.
In addition, he says, all passengers who reached Burundi by crossing the borders or landing at Melchior Ndadaye International Airport also tested negative for Covid-19.
On 18 March, Burundi received about 1600 followers of Eusebie Ngendakumana expelled from the neighboring DRC and all of them have tested negative. “We will continue to follow them closely in the transit center,” says Mr. Ndikumana.
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