[ad_1]
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia
As schools partially reopened in Ethiopia, cases of the new coronavirus in the country reached 90,490, according to figures released by the Health Ministry on Wednesday.
In the country, at least 1,371 people have died from the virus, while 43,638 people have recovered.
At a joint press conference with WHO country director Boureima Sambo, which marked the partial reopening of schools in the country on Tuesday, Health Minister Lia Tadesse said the spread of the virus has accelerated since September.
The minister said that 14.9% of people infected with the virus constitute critically ill patients who need intensive care.
“The fact that the five-month COVID-19 state of emergency has been lifted and restrictions have been relaxed could have created a sense of recklessness in observing the necessary care,” Lia said.
On Tuesday, the Horn of Africa nation announced the partial reopening of schools, 30% of schools, across the country, except in the capital city of Addis Ababa, where there are 70% of virus cases.
“The current reality is that # COVID19 will be here for some time. Decisions had to be made in light of this understanding. We cannot keep #children out of # school any longer, and we are taking steps for a safe reopening of the # school in Ethiopia, ”he tweeted.
However, for his part, Sambo said that the reopening of schools must be in line with COVID-19 guidelines.
“The reopening of the school must be carried out in strict compliance with the # COVID19 prevention guidelines to avoid transmission. But this alone will not be enough unless we do the same in the communities because our children, their teachers and staff live in their respective communities, ”he said in a tweet.
The Anadolu Agency website contains only a portion of the news offered to subscribers in the AA News Broadcasting System (HAS), and in summary form. Contact us for subscription options.
[ad_2]
