Guinea-Bissau’s Health Ministry on Wednesday confirmed Prime Minister Nuno Gomes Nabiam and three other cabinet members have tested positive for the novel coronavirus, reported Reuters.
Addressing the journalists, Health Minister Antonio Deuna said Nabiam, Interior Minister Botche Cande, Secretary of State for Regional Planning and Integration Monica Buaro and Secretary of State for Public Order Mario Fambe were diagnosed with the virus on Tuesday and have been quarantined at a hotel in the capital Bissau.
Deuna revealed that Na Biam’s infection was a community transmission case. He did not provide any other details of the officials’ condition or treatment. However, he warned the country’s rate of infection could likely rise in the coming days.
The health minister also revealed that some members of the government have been tested and are waiting for the results. The country has so far confirmed more than 70 cases and one death.
“I have tested positive for the novel coronavirus, I am at home and I feel well,” Prime Minister Nabiam said in a Facebook post.
He urged citizens to stay home and take every measure to save their life and those of their family members.
Nabiam came third in last year’s presidential election and was selected to be prime minister by the President Umaro Sissoco Embalo in February this year.
In order to fight against the spread of the pandemic, the President of Guinea-Bissau Umaro Sissoco Embalo last Sunday extended the state of emergency again across the country till May 11. The government closed the country’s borders and public places, including schools, restaurants, and places of worship and imposed a night-time curfew as part of efforts to contain the virus.
According to the Africa Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Africa reached 34,915 on Wednesday as the death toll hit 1,521.
