DRC Confirms Its First Case Of Coronavirus

DRC Confirms Its First Case Of Coronavirus

The Democratic Republic of Congo has confirmed its first case of COVID-19 on Tuesday, after a Congolese national who had recently returned to Kinshasha from France, tested positive for the virus.

DRC’s Minister of health, Eteni Longondo, said the patient, a 52-year-old is in a stable state.

Although the minister failed to confirm the date of his arrival into Kinshasa, he said the patient showed no symptoms upon arrival.

“He arrived a few days ago from Belgium. I cannot confirm the day. I was in contact with the border health services. When he got there, he had no symptoms,” the minister said.

The National Institute of Biomedical Research confirmed the first case in DRC.

WHO’s response

The Regional Director for Africa, Matshidiso Moeti, World Health Organization (WHO), said “it’s sad to hear that just as the DRC appears to be near ending its worse Ebola outbreak, a new virus is threatening the health of its citizens.”

However, he commented that “some of the readiness efforts put in place during the Ebola outbreak may help the country respond to COVID-19.”

Mr Moeti further reassured DRC of WHO’s support.