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Coronavirus Africa news summary: cases and deaths - 26 May

Update:
Children are seen on a bike after Muslims in Nigeria perform Eid prayer following the global outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Nasarawa May 24, 2020. REUTERS/Afolabi Sotunde
Africa

Africa Covid-19 update: 02:00 WAT on Wednesday 27 May (03:00 CEST)

According to the latest figures published by Johns Hopkins University5,584,091 cases have been detected worldwide, with 349,894 deaths and 2,284,242 people now recovered.

Nigeria: 8,068 cases / 233 deaths
South Africa: 24,264 cases / 524 deaths
Ghana: 6,964 cases / 32 deaths
Uganda: 222 cases / 0 deaths (no data currently available)

This live Covid-19 feed is now closed. For the latest developments and breaking news relating to the Covid-19 pandemic in Africa, follow the blog for Wednesday 27 May.

Kenya

Locusts start to fly in the morning hours after roosting in the trees overnight on May 21, 2020 in Samburu County, Kenya. Trillions of locusts are swarming across parts of Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia, following an earlier infestation in February. Pastoralist communities like the Samburu in northern Kenya fear the locusts will devastate the rangeland on which their livestock are dependent. (Photo by Fredrik Lerneryd/Getty Images)

Nigeria records 276 new Covid-19 cases

WHO Nigeria tallied almost 300 coronavirus cases on Tuesday, taking the overall number of cases in the country to 8,334. 

Africa records 4,000 cases on 26 May

According to the Africa Centers for Disease Control, there were 3,998 new cases of Covid-19 reported on the continent on Tuesday. 

South Africa

A health department official walks past beds set up at a temporary field hospital to deal with an expected surge in cases of the coronavirus disease at the Cape Town International Convention Centre in Cape Town, South Africa May 26, 2020. REUTERS/Mike Hutchings

South Africa to allow places of worship to operate from June

(Reuters) South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa announced on Tuesday that churches and other recognised places of worship will operate from June when the country eases lockdown restrictions further, but will be limited to 50 people or less.

"The faith community is an integral part of the South African life and has made a great contribution in the fight against the coronavirus," Ramaphosa said in a televised address.

Domestic abuse hotline gets glut of calls in Congo

A hotline set up a year ago to support sufferers of domestic violence in DR Congo has experienced a huge increase in calls from women locked down with their abusers.

The hotline, run by the Forum of Women Citizens and Activists for Governance, Democracy and Development, has seen calls rise from five a week to 10 a day, Reuters reports.

According to Johns Hopkins University, there have been just over 2,400 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Congo, leading to 68 deaths.

"Is Covid-19 distracting us from fighting malaria?"

Speaking to the BBC, World Health Organization expert Dr Akpaka Kalu has spoken of a "disaster waiting to happen" amid fears that the fight to curb the coronavirus pandemic will have a detrimental effect on the battle against malaria.

South African Airways aims to resume domestic flights in mid-June

South African Airways (SAA) aims to resume domestic flights between Johannesburg and Cape Town from mid-June, the cash-strapped airline said on Tuesday, as coronavirus lockdown restrictions ease.

SAA, which is under a form of bankruptcy protection, suspended all commercial passenger flights in late March, when the government imposed one of the strictest lockdowns on the African continent.

But President Cyril Ramaphosa said in an address to the nation on Sunday that domestic air travel for business purposes would be phased in after June 1, when the country moves to level 3 of a five-level alert system.

South Africa is currently on alert level 4, a tougher level of anti-coronavirus restrictions.

Africa

A health department official walks past beds set up at a temporary field hospital to deal with an expected surge in cases of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) at the Cape Town International Convention Centre in Cape Town, South Africa May 26, 2020. REUTERS/Mike Hutchings

A major hike in numbers in Africa today.

SA beds

A health department official walks past beds set up at a temporary field hospital to deal with an expected surge in cases of the coronavirus disease at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. 26 May 2020. (Pic REUTERS/Mike Hutchings)

Africa by numbers

In terms of cases, South Africa continued to be the worst-hit country with 23,600. Egypt recorded the highest fatalities with 783.

In Nigeria 233 patients have died so far, in Sudan 170 and in Cameroon 165.

The number of cases is the highest in North Africa tallying at 35,400 and counting, in West Africa 29,700, in Southern Africa 25,300, East Africa 12,800 and in Central Africa 12,200.

Mining impact

June will see the return to 100%, but South Africa's mining industry has had to manage the impact of the pandemic too.

Strength in numbers?

Manhunt underway

Authorities in Uganda have launched a manhunt on seven truck drivers who vanished into a leafy estate of Kampala after testing positive for coronavirus.

LaLiga: when it returns, fixture schedule, dates of games

LALIGA

LaLiga: when it returns, fixture schedule, dates of games

LaLiga return imminent

Talking of football, the Spanish top flight action is not far away...

Borussia Dortmund vs Bayern Munich Preview

Bundesliga

Borussia Dortmund vs Bayern Munich Preview

Der Klassiker

If you've been missing your high-class footballing fix, check out what's in store for you later today.

Organics under observation

“This herbal tea gives results in seven days,” Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina said. “Tests have been carried out—two people have now been cured by this treatment.”

Does this remind you of any other leader?

Uganda easing

Private cars are now allowed back onto the streets as restaurants and shops reopen. Masks must be worn.

Restrictions, including a ban on transport, do remain in 40 border districts.

Holding out for Covid-19 heroes

Blue Monday

Western Cape worries as South Africa fights to control the spread.

Coronavirus stigma and support

A look back...

It was another busy day in the word of coronavirus yesterday as you'll have seen in our rolling Africa live feed. Some headlines:

- South Africa smoking ban upsets smokers

- WHO suspends hydroxychloroquine testing

- WHO fears 'silent' virus epidemic unless Africa prioritises testing

- Zambia minister self-isolating after positive test

Africa Covid-19 update: 07:30 WAT on Tuesday 26 May (08:30 CEST)

According to the latest figures published by Johns Hopkins University5,497,532 cases have been detected worldwide, with 346,269 deaths and 2,232,593 people now recovered.

Nigeria: 8,069 cases / 233 deaths
South Africa: 23,615 cases / 481 deaths
Ghana: 6,808 cases / 32 deaths
Uganda: 222 cases / 0 deaths (no data currently available)

Coronavirus live Africa updates: welcome

Hello and welcome to our live, Africa-focused coverage of the Covid-19 pandemic, which has now registered over five million cases worldwide.

Join us for the latest news and numbers as they emerge throughout the day.