WHO asks Tanzania to start reporting COVID-19 cases

World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has renewed his call for Tanzania to start reporting the novel coronavirus cases and share data.

In his statement issued on Saturday on Tanzania and COVID-19, the WHO director-general said that he and Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, the WHO director for the African Region, had urged the country in late January to improve public health measures in the fight against COVID-19. Both WHO directors had also urged the African nation to prepare for vaccination. Dr. Ghebreyesus said he had also encouraged the data sharing because there had been reports of COVID-19 cases among travelers.

“Since then I have spoken with several authorities in Tanzania but WHO is yet to receive any information regarding what measures Tanzania is taking to respond to the pandemic,” said the WHO chief in his statement that WHO shared with reporters and media organizations over email. “This situation remains very concerning.”

He added, “I renew my call for Tanzania to start reporting COVID-19 cases and share data. I also call on Tanzania to implement the public health measures that we know work in breaking the chains of transmission, and to prepare for vaccination.”

Several Tanzanians visiting neighboring countries have tested coronavirus positive, said Dr. Ghebreyesus.

“This underscores the need for Tanzania to take robust action both to safeguard their own people and protect populations in these countries and beyond,” stressed the WHO boss.

At the end of his statement, Dr. Ghebreyesus reiterated that “COVID-19 is a serious disease that can cause severe illness and even death,” asking “National authorities everywhere” to ensure people are protected and their lives are saved.

“WHO stands ready to support them in the response against this deadly virus,” he concluded his statement.

The full statement of the WHO director-general is available on WHO’s website, here.

Featured image is licensed under Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)