Rwanda has confirmed four new cases of New Coronavirus, after four people tested positive, bringing the total to five.

A Statement by the Ministry of Health on Sunday evening said four new cases were identified and are being treated after the index case of an Indian national who arrived in the country on March 8 was confirmed on Saturday.

“Four additional coronavirus cases were identified through positive tests today, bringing the confirmed total to five. A 34-year-old Rwandan man who arrived from South Sudan on 6 March 2020,”

“His brother, a 36-year-old Rwandan who arrived from Fiji via USA and Qatar on 8 March 2020

A 30-year-old Rwandan man in Kigali with no recent travel history

A 22-year-old man with Ugandan nationality who arrived In Rwanda from London on 15 March 2020,” a statement from the Ministry reads.

The Ministry said all patients are currently under treatment and are in stable condition and are isolated from other patients.

“The tracing of all contacts has been conducted for further management. All residents of Rwanda should continue to observe all instructions from health authorities, particularly by washing hands regularly, avoiding large gatherings, and reporting any symptoms by calling the toll-free number 114 or contacting a medical professional,” the government said.

New developments

The Rwandan government has announced temporary measures that must be observed for two weeks to avert a possible spread of the New Coronavirus following the registration of a first case in Rwanda.

The Government, through the Ministry of Health said places of worship shall close on Sunday, March 14 while schools close on Monday for at least two weeks following an assessment to ascertain what needs to be done.

“Following assessment by the Ministry of Health, the following measures shall be observed for an initial period of two weeks in order to further strengthen the country’s ability to mitigate the risk of COVID19 coronavirus transmission,”

“Places of worship are closed from Sunday 15 March 2020, with prayers to be conducted from home. Schools and higher education institutions (both public and private) shall close on Monday 16.

 Employees should be permitted to work from home wherever possible, in consultation with their employers,” the statement announcing measures reads in part.

“Large gatherings such as weddings and sporting events are to be postponed, and the number of people attending burial ceremonies should be minimised. Businesses and restaurants continue to operate, but adequate distance between customers must be maintained, at least 1 meter,” it adds.

The Government said unnecessary movements should be avoided, and public transport must not be overcrowded. Hand hygiene and social distancing are the only effective methods of preventing transmission of coronavirus,”

In a related development, the Embassy of Belgium announced on Sunday it was suspending activities at the mission after an individual who tested positive of COVID 19 took part in a meeting at the embassy.

“Following the participation of the person infected by the virus #Covid19 at a meeting at the Embassy, the Belgian Embassy in Kigali will be closed until 28/03/2020 following guidelines from the local authorities and as a precautionary measure,” the embassy announced.