A picture taken on May 8, 2021 shows a sign of the World Health Organization at the entrance of their headquarters in Geneva amid the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak. (FABRICE COFFRINI / AFP)
GENEVA / ADDIS ABABA / KIGALI – The number of COVID-19 deaths worldwide is close to 6 million, according to the latest data from the World Health Organization (WHO).
Globally, there have been 440,807,756 confirmed COVID-19 cases, including 5,978,096 deaths, reported to WHO as of Friday, according to the international health watchdog's dashboard.
Globally, there have been 440,807,756 confirmed COVID-19 cases, including 5,978,096 deaths, reported to WHO as of Friday
The Europe region topped the list with 181,275,264 confirmed cases, while the Americas ranked second with 147,655,931 confirmed cases.
The United States, India and Brazil were the top three countries with the highest number of confirmed cases, it said.
The WHO also reported that nearly 10.6 billion vaccine doses have been administered globally as of Feb 27.
Africa
The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Africa has reached 11,220,954 as of Saturday evening, the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) said.
The Africa CDC, the specialized healthcare agency of the African Union, said the death toll from the pandemic across the continent stands at 249,536.
ALSO READ: WHO: Africa transitioning out of pandemic phase of COVID-19
Some 10,466,353 patients across the continent have recovered from the disease so far, it noted.
South Africa has recorded the most COVID-19 cases in Africa with 3,681,437 cases, while northern African countries Morocco and Tunisia reported 1,161,506 and 1,003,255 cases respectively, it said.
In terms of the caseload, southern Africa is the most affected region, followed by the northern and eastern parts of the continent, while central Africa is the least affected region in the continent, according to the Africa CDC.
Rwanda
The Rwandan government has lifted a midnight-to-4 am curfew on people's movement, effective Saturday for the first time since the outbreak of COVID-19 in March 2020.
"Curfew is lifted. However, nightclubs, live bands, bars, receptions, and betting activities shall close by 2 am," said a cabinet communique issued by the Office of the Prime Minister late Friday.The cabinet also decided that citizens and Rwanda residents must be fully vaccinated in order to access public places.
According to the communique, private businesses and public offices including social gatherings will operate at full capacity.
However, wearing a face mask in public places remains mandatory.
Physical conferences, services held at places of worship, restaurants, bars and gyms are to be conducted in full capacity of venues, while outdoor settings are highly encouraged.
A medical worker injects a second dose of Astra Zeneca vaccine to a patient in a COVIDD-19 (coronavirus) vaccination center in Kigali, on May 27, 2021. (LUDOVIC MARIN / AFP)
Attendance to any social gathering and event will require a negative COVID-19 test taken at least 48 hours before.
All sports activities and sports fans in stadiums will be permitted as long as they are fully vaccinated.
Land borders shall reopen starting Monday March 7 and people may be subject to random COVID-19 testing by the ministry of health upon entry, according to the communique.
Arriving and departing passengers at Kigali International Airport must present a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken 72 hours prior to departure.
All departing Rwandans must be vaccinated, said the communique.
Public buses will also operate at full capacity with seated passengers and 75 percent of non-seated passengers, operators must ensure that all passengers are fully vaccinated and penalties shall be applied in case of non-compliance, according to the communique.
The new measures take effect on Saturday, March 5 and will be revised after one month upon health assessment.
The Rwandan health ministry announced on Thursday that the 60 percent of the Rwandan population has been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Rwanda has witnessed a fall in COVID-19 infections since the beginning of 2022.
