COVID-19 pandemic in Lesotho

The COVID-19 pandemic has not appeared in Lesotho for a long time. The country was the only state with no confirmed COVID-19 case in Africa as of April 30 . The first case was reported on May 13th.

background

The COVID-19 pandemic started in China in December 2019. The pandemic affects the novel disease COVID-19. This is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus from the Coronaviridae group and belongs to the group of respiratory diseases . From March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) classified the outbreak of the novel coronavirus as a global pandemic.

Course and measures

To prevent the virus from spreading, the government closed the border with South Africa in mid-March 2020.

Although no COVID-19 case was known as of March 24, Prime Minister Thomas Thabane declared a national emergency on March 18. The schools remained closed until at least April 17th. However, school meals were allowed to continue. Travelers will be tested for fever at the border and will have to complete a 14-day quarantine in one of the newly established centers if they come from countries affected by COVID-19. On March 23, South Africa had closed seven of the 13 border crossings. Prison visits are being restricted, and new prisoners are also being tested. Thabane appealed to the population to avoid large gatherings, for example at funerals. He called on employers to take protective measures. The tourism industry reported a large number of cancellations. Prime Minister Thomas Thabane announced a three-week curfew from March 29 at midnight. A "total" curfew will apply from April 1 to April 21, 2020; You may only leave the house for essential purchases and medical treatment. Police officers used guns to attack people who violated the curfew.

No cases were reported in Lesotho until April 16. However, the country also lacks virus testing capabilities and capacity. Since April 15, 2020, Lesotho has been sending its samples to the South African National Institute for Communicable Diseases for testing . It was expected that it would take about three days to get the results at a time. On April 22nd, the curfew was extended by 14 days.

On May 11, it was announced that 48 suspected cases had tested negative for the virus by then. The first case was reported on May 13, shortly after the first easing. There were two cases on May 23, 2020.

statistics

The number of cases developed during the COVID-19 pandemic in Lesotho as follows:

Infections

Confirmed infections (cumulative) in Lesotho
according to WHO data

New infections in Lesotho
according to WHO data

Deaths

Confirmed deaths (cumulative) in Lesotho
according to WHO data

Confirmed deaths (daily) in Lesotho
according to WHO data

Remarks

1. ↑ ^{a b c d} Cases reported to WHO by national authorities are listed here. Since the situation is very dynamic, there may be discrepancies or delays between the cases of the WHO and the data of national authorities as well as the information provided by other bodies, such as the Johns Hopkins University (CSSE).

See also

• COVID-19 pandemic in Africa

Web links

• World Health Organization (WHO): Coronavirus disease (COVID-2019) situation reports on the website www.who.int (English)
• Johns Hopkins CSSE : Coronavirus COVID-19 Global Cases. (English)
• Website Worldometers : data of the Corona virus pandemic (English)

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Lesotho records first coronavirus case a week after lifting lockdown. theguardian.com dated May 13, 2020, accessed May 13, 2020
2. ↑ Covid-19: What is Covid-19? In: lungenaerzte-im-netz.de. Retrieved April 14, 2020 . 
3. ↑ "Deeply concerned": WHO speaks of corona pandemic. In: tagesschau.de. Retrieved April 14, 2020 . 
4. ↑ Covid-19: Lesotho seals borders amid infection fears while SA tourism suffers ( en-US ) March 13, 2020.
5. ↑ ^{a b} Nthakoana Ngatane: Lesotho declares national emergency over COVID-19 outbreak ( en ) Retrieved on March 19, 2020.
6. ↑ Gerard Molupe: SA's closure of borders: Lesotho businesses feel the pinch. city-press.news24.com of March 23, 2020 (English), accessed on March 27, 2020
7. ↑ Mapule Motsopa, Nkheli Liphoto: Thabane declares national emergency. thepost.co.ls of March 24, 2020, accessed March 26, 2020
8. ↑ Covid-19: Lesotho seals borders amid infection fears while SA tourism suffers ( en ) March 26, 2020.
9. ↑ Thabane orders total lockdown. menafm.com from April 1, 2020 (English), accessed on April 1, 2020
10. ↑ Brian Sokutu: People beaten by cops in Lesotho for defying lockdown regulations. citizen.co.za of April 6, 2020 (English), accessed April 8, 2020
11. ↑ COVID-19 EXCLUSIVE: Lesotho's Majoro pleads with Basotho not to return home . 
12. ^ Abdur Rahman Alfa Shaban: Virus-free Lesotho extends lockdown amid political showdown. africanews.com, April 22, 2020, accessed April 22, 2020
13. ↑ Still no Covid-19 in Lesotho after 48 suspected cases test negative. iol.co.za on May 11, 2020, accessed on May 11, 2020
14. ↑ ^{a b c d} Coronavirus disease (COVID-2019) situation reports. WHO, accessed on August 9, 2020 .