Burundi's new President Evariste Ndayishimiye has declared the coronavirus the country's "biggest enemy", in a major about-turn for a nation which has largely ignored the dangers of the virus.
Former president Pierre Nkurunziza, who died suddenly last month, and even Ndayishimiye himself, had until now downplayed the gravity of the pandemic, saying God had spared Burundi from its ravages.
Burundi only has a single testing centre, with fewer than 10 technicians capable of carrying out tests for the virus.
A high-ranking health ministry official told AFP on condition of anonymity that the turnaround comes after the World Bank donated $5 million last month to help Burundi fight the virus.
In May, Burundi—which has increasingly isolated itself in recent years—expelled a team of World Health Organization experts who were supporting the country's response to the pandemic.
