Ethiopia's ministry of health on Sunday announced the country's first deaths as a result of Covid-19, the respiratory illness caused by coronavirus.
The two deaths were announced one hour apart by Health Minister Lia Tadesse.
Dr Lia said the first victim, a 60-year-old woman, had been admitted at an intensive care unit (ICU) at Eka Kotebe hospital for five days before she died.
The second victim, a 56-year-old Ethiopian man, had been in ICU for three days.
Ethiopia has to date 43 confirmed cases of coronavirus, including two deaths.
President Sahle-Work Zewde had two weeks ago expressed concern that the true scale of the coronavirus outbreak in the country is not yet clear. She called for better preparation at the national level.
Ethiopia confirmed its first case on 12 March. It has since closed all land borders, ordered most government employees to work from home and released about 4,000 prisoners as measures to curb the spread of the virus.
Latest Stories
-
LPG prices surge in Ghana, raising concerns over tax impact
1 min -
I commend PURC for taking courageous step to fine ECG board members – Kwame Pianim
37 mins -
Financing assurance secured from bilateral creditors to aid 2nd review funding for Ghana – IMF Africa head
1 hour -
Man who set himself on fire outside Trump’s Manhattan hush money trial dies
1 hour -
Fuel purchase issues have nothing to do with personal interest – Egypa Mercer
1 hour -
ISRQ2024: Theorose School wins Championship with 0.5 points, heads to Canada
2 hours -
Use your voice, talents, skills to advocate for positive change – UniMAC VC tells graduates
2 hours -
Livestream: Newsfile discusses ‘dumsor’, Ex-MASLOC CEO jail and Election 2024
2 hours -
Otumfuo STEM Festival launched to find problem-solvers, promote science education
2 hours -
Irene Logan ties the knot in colourful ceremony
2 hours -
Alliance with other parties, not a merger – Alan Kyerematen
3 hours -
Ghana’s Mohammed Fuseini scores in Randers 2-2 draw Odense BK
3 hours -
We are behind schedule on flood control programme – Oppong Nkrumah
3 hours -
Jennifer Kankam scores five against Tala’ea El Gaish in ZED FC’s big win in Egyptian league
3 hours -
You won’t start at Hearts of Oak – Charles Taylor tells Erling Haaland
3 hours