July 13: Two lawmakers succumb, 25 others infected
Two lawmakers in Madagascar have died after contracting COVID-19, over twenty others are also receiving treatment for the virus, president Andry Rajoelina announced on Sunday.
The deceased comprise one Senator and a member of the lower chamber. 11 other members and 14 senators also tested positive.
The news comes as government reimposed lockdown on a major region under which the capital Antananarivo falls. The reason was to better contain surge in cases.
A week ago, the presidency issued a statement dispelling social media reports that Rajoelina had contracted the virus. The country’s caseload is one of the highest in the southern African region, it is also the most impacted island nation on the continent.
Confirmed cases = 4,867
Active cases = 2,454
Recoveries = 2,378
Number of deaths = 35
John Hopkins Uni stats valid as of July 13, 2020
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July 7: Rajoelina hasn’t tested positive – Presidency
The Malagasy presidency had reason to issue an official statement denying social media reports that President Rajoelina had tested positive for the COVID-19.
The July 7 statement (in French) said the president was occupied with leading the country’s fight against the virus and was exercising full control over the governance machinery.
Spike in cases especially in the capital Antananarivo has precipitated the reinstatement of a lockdown to control spread of the virus.
Press release denying rumors about the state of health of the President of the Republic (Translation)
The Presidency of the Republic formally denies rumors about the state of health of the President of the Republic, Andry Rajoelina, relayed by social networks and or published on websites.
President Andry Rajoelina is in good health and is not affected by covid-19 at all. He has never left Malagasy territory since the start of the health crisis to date.
He faces with all the Malagasy people, the global health crisis which affects our country today and he continues to find, with all the specialists and all the State entities, suitable solutions in the management of this pandemic.
He directs the councils of ministers and several meetings by videoconference to respect the health rules required to prevent the spread of this covid 19 virus.
Confirmed cases = 3,573
Active cases = 1,779
Recoveries = 1,761
Number of deaths = 33
John Hopkins Uni stats valid as of July 9, 2020
Major African stats: July 9 at 7:00 GMT:
Confirmed cases = 522,643
Active cases = 257,466
Recoveries = 252,944
Number of deaths = 12,233
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