Coronavirus: Cases hit 529 across Africa, 14 dead - Africa CDC

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (PANA) - At least 14 people have died from the coronavirus outbreak in 31 countries in Africa, with confirmed cases rising to 529 cases on Wednesday.

The number of confirmed cases rose to 457 from 443 within hours, an African Union agency said on Wednesday.

The AU Centre for Disease Control (CDC-Africa) said the rapid testing and intensified screening of cases in Africa, reflected high levels of preparedness to handle the virus from spreading uncontrollably.

The AU CDC personnel reached out to Chinese experts to share information on contact tracing for the virus.

The teleconference was attended by senior member of the the Africa CDC.

The China-Africa video conference for responding to the COVID-19 enabled the Chinese experts to share China's experience in responding to the COVID-19, answer and discuss questions from African experts at the conference, the Africa CDC said in a tweet.

The 14 deaths were reported from four countries of the 31 countries which have reported confirmed cases, the Africa CDC said in its daily report on the virus Wednesday.

"Africa CDC is working with all the affected countries and is mobilising laboratory, surveillance and other response support where requested," it stated.

Algeria has recorded three deaths from the coronavirus outbreak with 55 confirmed cases, with Egypt recording four deaths out of 166 cases.

Sudan recorded one death while two other deaths were reported from Morocco, which has 33 confirmed cases.

The Africa CDC said it was working to urgently procure emergency medical equipment stockpiles including the COVID19 diagnostics.

The agency is also working on buying body temperature scanners (thermal scanners) and other critical equipment that can be used to rapidly equip countries.

-0- PANA AO/MA 18March2020