Ethiopia’s surge in severe Covid-19 cases raises concern

The sudden increase in severe Covid-19 cases has raised grave concern in Intensive Care Unit management in Ethiopia, Ministry of Health disclosed.

According to the ministry, severe Covid-19 cases and deaths have suddenly increased in the past two days, posing grave treatment concern for the country.

Health Communication Director Dr Tegene Regassa said the number of severe cases that never exceeded 200 in a day has passed 300 daily in the past two days alone.

”With the country’s 500 mechanical ventilators, accepting 615 patients with severe cases in two days is a matter of grave concern,” Regassa said.

He revealed that the ministry is seeking additional support as the number of severe cases is beyond the capacity of its Intensive Care Unit.

“Death rate is also increasing,” the communication director said, adding that 29 patients have died from the virus in the past two days.

Moreover, out of 10,165 tests done during the past two days, 1,398 were positive.

“This is a 14 percent positivity rate, much higher in Ethiopia, and even the world,” Dr Tegene said.

He added that negligence of the public and limitations in strictly enforcing the prevention directive are among the factors causing increase in positivity rate.

Ethiopia has so far reported over 148,490 Covid-19 cases and more than 2,223 deaths.

There are 60 laboratories that test COVID-19 across the country.

Edited by Olajumoke Adeleke