Coronavirus: 'New cases in Niger show downward trend'

28 Mai 2020

Niamey, Niger, May 27 (Infosplusgabon) - Niger's new COVID-19 cases have been on a downward trend since 12 May 2020, due to the decline of the pandemic in Niamey, the most affected region, and also to the stability of the number of new cases reported in Zinder, the second COVID-19 outbreak in Niger, reports the Nigerien Press Agency, quoting a technical report from the National Institute of Statistics (INS), dated 25 May 2020.

In the document which traces the evolution of the statistical situation of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is noted that among the new positive cases declared between 21 and 24 May, 2020, nine cases come from the region of Zinder, 5 from the region of Agadez, 4 cases from the city of Niamey.

The regions of Diffa, Maradi, and Tahoua each recorded one case. The region of Niamey, with 54 positive cases per 100,000 inhabitants, remains the region most affected by the pandemic, followed by Agadez (5 cases per 100,000 inhabitants), Zinder (2 cases per 100,000 inhabitants), Diffa and Dosso, which recorded about one case per 100,000 inhabitants. On the other hand, the regions of Tillabéry, Maradi, and Tahoua are the least affected, with less than one case per 100,000 inhabitants.

On average, as of May 24, 2020, four people per 100,000 inhabitants have been infected with COVID-19 in Niger, according to the INS, which said that "the relaxation of measures taken to contain the COVID-19 pandemic in Niger, particularly the lifting of the curfew in Niamey, the sanitary isolation of the city of Niamey, the liberation of inter-urban passenger transport activities, the reopening of places of worship, schools and educational establishments, scheduled for 1 June 2020, could constitute major challenges for all the teams in charge of the fight against COVID-19".

Therefore, the National Institute of Statistics suggests to the COVID-19 Interministerial Committee for the Fight against the Pandemic, among other things, to value and recognize the sacrifices made by health personnel, by granting them an exceptional bonus for services rendered to the Nation, and by revaluing, in the future, their salaries and other benefits currently allocated to them.

The INS recommends that the authorities of the city of Niamey and the Committee should strengthen their cooperation to ensure compliance with barrier measures, principally social distancing, the wearing of masks, disinfection of premises, and handwashing in the main public places, particularly mosques, markets, and large shops.

The Institute also recommends strengthening disinfection and treatment operations in the main public places, particularly schools and other educational establishments, in preparation for their reopening, scheduled for 1 June 2020, as well as public, para-public and private administrations, the main places of worship, markets, car stations, and large shops.

The INS also suggests unannounced checks by health teams in schools, in public, para-public and private administrations, in the main public places (transport companies, bus stations, markets, and large shops), in buses and passenger transport vehicles, in order to ensure compliance with the barrier measures laid down by the government (social distancing, hygiene, wearing of masks, etc.).

In Niger, as of May 26, 2020, according to statistical data published by the Ministry of Public Health, the total number of people testing positive for COVID-19 is 951 cases, 786 cured and 62 deaths.

According to the INS, nearly 8 out of 10 deaths (81%) related to COVID-19 occurred in the population over 46 years of age. The number of deaths is particularly high among people between 66 and 75 years of age (30%).

While only 7% of deaths occur in young adults aged 26-35 years, the number of coronavirus-related deaths is twice as high in men as in women.

The INS explains this situation by the fact that this virus affects more men than women (more than 6 out of 10 cases).

FIN/ INFOSPLUSGABON/AOD/GABON2020

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