Ethiopia confirms first coronavirus case

Addis Ababa, March 13, 2020 (FBC) –Ethiopia’s Ministry of Health said a 48-year old Japanese national has tested positive for Covid-19.

Health Minister Dr Lia Tadesse told journalists the Japanese national had arrived in Ethiopia on March 4, 2020 from Burkina Faso.

The patient was quarantined at Bole Chefa isolation centre and is in a stable condition, she said.

Those who have been in contact with the person are being traced and quarantined, the Minister added.

Ethiopia has already established a National Ministerial Committee to lead and support the COVID-19 preparedness and response efforts.

It has also allocated an additional budget for the prevention effort and is mobilizing more resources.