COVID-19 in the countries we work in overseas – update 2

As we shared last week we want to keep you up to date with the current situation regarding Coronavirus in the countries and communities we work in overseas. Information is changing all the time but at the time of publishing (2:30pm on Friday 27^th March 2020) this is the current situation in the countries we work in.

Uganda   

There are now 18 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Uganda. Even before any cases were confirmed, last week the Government banned all public gatherings and closed all schools and institutions of learning. Now with confirmed cases in Uganda these bans will continue to be implemented. The Government have now banned all travel in and out of the country to stem the spread of COVID-19. The Government are aware that the spread of the virus would seriously challenge the healthcare system in the country. There have been no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the communities we work in.

Bobi Wine, a Ugandan musician this week released a song to raise awareness of COVID-19 in an effort to stem the spread of the virus. The song highlights the importance of washing hands, keeping a safe distance and looking out for symptoms.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUHrck2g7Ic&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR1s_heIKAaUNskV7yhZGzeGgf2_SSCTsMK_RpzhIdlfLWN5dT2KFtFz-Xo

Tanzania

There have been 13 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Tanzania. The Government have set up 27 screening facilities across the country at border points, airports and harbours.

Schools and Universities have been closed and there is now a ban on all public gatherings, excluding prayer activities.

There appears to be much anxiety in the country in relation to the virus with many feeling they don’t have enough information on how to deal with the situation and don’t know how to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The Philippines

There are currently 803 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Philippines with a death toll of 54. We still have no confirmed cases in the neighbourhood of West Habog Habog where we work. West Habog Habog is a neighbourhood in Iloilo City where lockdown has been in place since Friday 20^th March.

Since our last update 8 days ago the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 have increased in all the countries we work in. We are offering support and help in different ways through our in-country partners as they help those in need during this current crisis. Please do continue to pray for all of these countries and communities.