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Djibouti + 1 more

Republic of Djibouti: COVID-19 Situation Report #15, 28 August – 10 September 2020

Attachments

HIGHLIGHTS

• Some 5,394 cases of COVID-19 and 61 fatalities have been confirmed by authorities in Djibouti to date. A remarkable decline in the number of positive cases reported in the country in the last five weeks.
• Since the reopening of the borders on 17 July, 5.25% of arriving passengers tested positive to COVID-19.
• The number of returning migrants from Yemen is still substantial, with 310 new arrivals recorded between 1 and 10 September.
• The two-month assistance policy and physical distancing measures continue to be implemented to reduce the risk of propagation of the COVID 19 during distributions

SITUATION OVERVIEW

• As of 10 September 2020, the Ministry of Health of Djibouti confirmed 5,394 cases of COVID-19, with 61 fatalities reported since the beginning of the pandemic; and a case fatality rate (CFR) stable at 1.1% for the past 8 weeks. The epidemiological situation over the last five weeks is stable, with a decline in the number of positive cases reported (four cases per week over the last three weeks.

• Djibouti is the first country in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region to have zero COVID-19 cases reported for 8 days during the last two weeks. One death was recorded during the same period bringing the total number of deaths to 61 since the beginning of the pandemic. During the past two months (epi-week 25 – present – e.g. 15-21 June 2020), the number of tests performed daily was around 350, down from up to 2,000 tests during epi-week 20-24 (11 May-14 June 2020). Statistics may be further biased as the number of tests performed in recent weeks includes individuals travelling abroad and requiring a PCR test certificate. Vigilance and sustained efforts to ensure that prevention measures continue to be implemented is key as the pandemic is not yet over, and the situation in the neighboring countries as well as worldwide remains unstable.

• Since the official opening of the airport on 17 July, all arriving passengers to Djibouti were screened through a saliva test (EASYCOV) at point of entry, and all positive cases underwent PCR tests for confirmation. Out of 9,424 tests carried out among arriving passengers, 354 were found positive (3.75% positivity rate). Health authorities are following all required measures to isolate and treat the positive passengers according to the country protocol.

• The first Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT)-Accelerator Facilitation Council meeting, a groundbreaking global collaboration to accelerate development, production, and equitable access to COVID-19 tests, treatments, and vaccines, took place on 10 September at the global level. The council decided to provide sustained political leadership to galvanize and harness broad international support for the ACT-Accelerator; advocate in support of the ACT-Accelerator Investment Case in order to secure urgently needed financial resources required to scale-up for impact and change the course of the pandemic; and honor and realize the shared commitment to leave no one behind in this crisis by working to ensure that all countries and populations have early, affordable and equitable access to the new vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics.

• On 9 September, the UN Secretary General launched the ‘United in Science 2020 report’, which brings together the latest climate science related updates from key global partners. It shows that climate change has not stopped for COVID19. Greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere are at record levels and continue to increase. Emissions are heading in the direction of pre- pandemic levels following a temporary decline caused by the lockdown and economic slowdown. The world is set to see its warmest five years on record – in a trend which is likely to continue - and is not on track to meet agreed targets to keep global temperature increase well below 2 °C or at 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels. The SG stressed that “we need science, solidarity and solutions to tackle both the COVID-19 pandemic and the climate crisis. I urge leaders to heed the facts contained in this report, unite behind the science and take urgent climate action to set a path towards a safer, more sustainable future for all”.