On Saturday, the Ministry of Health in the Central African Republic announced the ninth person in the country had been diagnosed with Coronavirus.
CAR has expressed appreciation of Rwanda’s efforts and partnership in fighting the pandemic.
“The CAR Ministry of Health appreciates Rwanda Biomedical Center [RBC] in Kigali for the cooperation,” an official statement from CAR reads in part.
RBC Director General Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana has told IGIHE that there is a partnership between Rwanda, some EAC member states and CAR in the fight against coronavirus.
Early this year, Rwanda acquired laboratory technologies that facilitate the diagnosis of coronavirus from Robert Koch Institute for Disease Control and Prevention, German.
Different forms of support in strengthening technical capacity at Rwanda National Reference Laboratory were obtained from the United States and the World Health Organization.
Without mentioning the countries, Dr. Nsanzimana said there are countries in the EAC that Rwanda is supporting in testing for coronavirus.
The Eastern Province borders with Uganda, Tanzania, and Burundi.
Eastern Province Governor Mufulukye Fred, told IGIHE that the 395 people were in good condition at all the seven sites where they were received.
“We have received 395 people, all under the mandatory 14-day quarantine. They are housed, fed and provided with other necessities,” he said.
Mufulukye said there is a team of doctors monitoring their health.
“So far no one has been found with coronavirus symptoms,” he assured, adding that since the inception of the quarantine, people have entered Rwanda through the borders in the province and no one has completed the 14-day quarantine and those who will complete will be advised on how to rejoin their families.
Kirehe District has the largest number of quarantined returning citizens, at 185, monitored from three sites; Nyagatare has 108 at two sites; Kayonza has 59 and Ngoma 43 put.
Currently, the number of Coronavirus cases in Rwanda is 82.
A special cabinet meeting chaired by President Paul Kagame on April 1, 2020 extended national lockdown by 15 days.
Rwandans are urged to continue playing their role in the observation of COVID-19 prevention guidelines. These include staying at home, keeping a social distance, handwashing and contacting 114 for any emergency.
The request was made Tuesday as the Gatsibo District Deputy Mayor for Social Welfare, Kantengwa Mary, supervised food distribution in Ngarama sector,where rice, beans, maize flour, sweet potatoes and cooking oil were given out.
“We urge you not to waste any food particle. For those that can tend to your gardens, the food donations will help you to work without starving,” she said.
One of the recipients, a mother who lives in Ngarama cell in Urukundo Village, said she used to work as a janitor. Following COVID-19 prevention cautionary measures, she lost her job which provide for her children.
“I will sparingly use the food given to me as I am looking for something else to do. ”
Residents in fourteen sectors in Gatsibo district have already been provided with food from the government and private sector.
The PSF spokesperson, Ntagengerwa Théoneste, has told IGIHE that they are targeting families with heads that were depending on daily incomes and cannot meet their food needs under the present quarantine.
“We are fortunate that the government had started a program of helping in the delivery of the food. This is a time to share and show love to the needy,” he said, adding that on a daily basis, PSF will be delivering food items to designated warehouses in Kicukiro District, Kigali.
“People are giving with sincere passion. What people have brought so far is worth Rwf120 million and still counting. We are not collecting money. We as well ask those who have cash to buy dry food rations including rice, beans, and others,” he said.
On Saturday, March 25, 2020, the government launched a food distribution program to the needy. As of Wednesday 1st April, 82 people had tested positive for coronavirus in Rwanda.
The Executive Director of Nyarugenge District, Ngabonziza Emmy has told IGIHE that the decision was taken to reduce any possible risks that would arise from violation of observing social distance and keeping the one-meter space between the shoppers.
Nyabugogo bus park has already been occupied by food vendors as trucks ferry in produce from different parts of the country.
Basumba cell executive secretary Gashegu Justin said the bodies were found on Monday but suspect them to have been struck dead on Saturday as one of the victims was talking on the phone.
“These men used to come to carry out lumbering here from Kabatwa. On Saturday they did not return home, but yesterday their wives came to look for them and we found their bodies near the bridge”
Bodies of the deceased were found late as residents were observing the ‘stay at home’ guidance to control the spread of coronavirus, a Gashegu said.
The Ministry in a press release, says the six identified patients were travelers from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, who, on arrival in Rwanda, were immediately placed under quarantine. Others quarantined are: two from South Africa; One, Nigeria; and one who had made various trips to East African countries.
The Ministry of Health has reassured that: “All patients are being treated in the designated areas and are responding well to treatment, with most coronavirus symptoms disappearing. No one is critically ill. The Ministry continues to trace for all people that came in contact with the patients for proper follow-up and management. m to be examined and cared for by the health authorities.”
All Rwandans with any inquiry on coronavirus are required to call 114, or send a WhatsApp message to +250788202080 or call the nearest health facility.
On March 21, 2020, the Prime Minister, Dr. Ngirente Edouard, issued a directive stating that unnecessary travel was suspended, requiring people not to leave their homes without solid reasons, except for providers of basic services including medical, food vendors, petrol stations and banking, among others.
The week from March 23-29, 2020, was marked by activities related to monitoring compliance with the guidelines for dealing with coronavirus.
IGIHE journalists have taken photos from various parts of Kigali and elsewhere, depicting the activities and how communities are coping.
Another week-long event included people and businesses who started mobilizing for the delivery of food items to vulnerable groups that are hard-hit by the quarantine, especially those based in Kigali city.
The Mayor of Gisagara District, Rutaburingoga Jérôme, on Thursday said they will not relent in implementing all the guidelines issued by the government to ensure that coronavirus spread is squarely tamed and those that disobey the control measure shall continue to face off with the law.
“Nineteen have been arrested and sixty arrested for abusing the guidelines. We start by talking to them and urging them to comply but when they overdo it they are punished.”
He said that in general, many people are observing the regulations including staying at home, avoiding handshakes, closing shops and factories and letting food vendors to continue serving the public. , promoting hygiene and more.
Ruraburingoga said the culpable individuals opened shops, sold forbidden products, going to raised prices and bar hoppers.
Twohereze Ltd, one of the newest home delivery platforms was only a few days old, founded by Rwagasore Jean Claude when the lockdown was summoned into effect on 21st March. His business is booming, the clients are happy, and he’s contributing to the control of coronavirus spread.
“In these critical times, moving out of your home is equivalent to exposing yourself to coronavirus. Twohereze Ltd. will fill the gap that was brought about by the lockdown by allowing people to get their groceries or other items delivered home. We can be reached out on Whatsapp, phone call or message.
“All you have to do is make a list of items you want to purchase and we will buy it for you and get it delivered. To prevent the spread of coronavirus, our personnel are provided with hand sanitizers. Our business is booming and we are trying to improve our capacity to meet the needs of all our customers.”
Another home delivery provider, Kasha Rwanda, avails beauty, health and personal care products for women.
Aissetou Sanogo, Kasha Managing Director says that digital platforms came in handy especially during the lockdown where unnecessary movements are restricted. Customers can order products using the Kasha Vuba App and have them instantly delivered.
“We even offer health products for mild diseases such as headache or flu and customers don’t need to move out at all. Our services cover Kigali in its entirety.”
During the lockdown, Kasha has recorded an increase in demand by 10% and strives daily to meet it to the best of their ability.
“However, some of our providers closed doors while others changed their working schedule. We are facing an imminent shortage of products but we will do our best to satisfy our customers. To address that challenge, we are limiting the quantity of items per person especially for personal care and health products such as hand sanitizers to be able to serve all our customers.”
Iposita has also started home delivery services for essential packages.
Patrick Safari, Director of Commercial Unit at Iposita said that they have changed their business model to match customers’ needs during the lockdown.
“With postal services now a ‘critical infrastructure’, we have introduced home delivery for essential packages starting March 24th. Our fleet in Kigali will deliver packages to customers instead of asking them to come pick their mail at our offices.”
Apart from mail delivery, customers will also be able to send for other items by calling Iposita, informing them where to pick up a package and they will have it instantly delivered.
“Our fleet will work 24/7 to deliver mail and other items to customers no matter the quantity needed. We have motorcycles, cars, and trucks which can carry items from 3 to 5 tons. Customers can pay online via Mobile Money or Airtel Money”
The Central Bank of Rwanda recently announced that mobile network operators and banks will allow zero charge transfers on all payments between bank accounts and mobile wallets, zero charges on Mobile Money transfers and zero merchant fees on all POS payments.
Most home delivery service providers charge from Rwf 1500 to Rwf 3000 depending on the customer’s location.
After the government of Rwanda imposed a complete air travel ban for 30 days, mail delivery services such as DHL cut travels to only once a week.
Rwandans are advised to use digital channels to help curb the spread of coronavirus.
