Mauritius government has declared the country as coronavirus-free as no active case has been reported in the last 15 days, reported Africa News. The island nation has reported 332 confirmed cases so far, out of which 322 persons have been discharged, while 10 others died of the deadly virus.
In a communiqué released on Monday, the Mauritius Ministry of Health and Wellness confirmed that 73,572 COVID-19 tests have been carried out, including 50,077 Rapid Antigen Tests and 23 495 PCR tests (polymerase chain reaction). It added that all 220 recently repatriated citizens from abroad were still under quarantine.
However, despite recording no new cases of the dreadful virus since ending of April 2020, the country’s government has stated that restriction of movement is still in place in other to contain any possible spread of the virus.
The development now made Mauritius the second African country to be declared virus-free status after fighting the deadly infection.
According to the data from John Hopkins University, as of May 12, 2020, Africa’s sole virus-free nation is Mauritius, while Lesotho is the sole African country yet to record a case. Eritrea, Seychelles and Mauritania each have one active case pending.
In measures against the COVID-19 pandemic, the Mauritius National Assembly is set to introduce the COVID-19 (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill and the Quarantine Bill on Wednesday. Prime Minister, Mr Pravind Kumar Jugnauth is likely to amend a number of enactments to cater for the impact of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV).
The Attorney-General, Minister of Agro-Industry and Food Security, Mr. Maneesh Gobin, gave some information on the two bills during the press briefing of the National Communication Committee of Covid-19 and recalled that strict lockdown measures were put in place in the country with a view of ensuring the safety of the population and preventing the spread of the virus.
