Coronavirus Africa summary: cases, deaths and news - 1 June

Fresh feed

Thank you for joining our coverage today. Follow our new daily feed for all the news on Tuesday 2 June.

Congo confirms new Ebola case, 1,000 km from eastern outbreak

Democratic Republic of Congo declared a new Ebola epidemic on Monday in the western city of Mbandaka, more than 1,000 km (620 miles) away from an ongoing outbreak of the same deadly virus in the east.

Health Minister Eteni Longondo said four people who died in Mbandaka were confirmed as positive cases following testing at the national biomedical laboratory in the capital Kinshasa.

The outbreak was confirmed by World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who tweeted: “This outbreak is a reminder that Covid-19 is not the only health threat people face.”

Tyson Conteh's Sierra Leone coronavirus video diary

Tyson Conteh, a filmmaker from Sierra Leone, shows the BBC how his city is dealing with the coronavirus outbreak and some harrowing accounts of the victims of the virus.

NDC calls for audit into government Covid-19 spending

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) party has called for an audit of the 280 million Ghanaian cedis which came out of public funds that the government used in helping the country battle Covid-19, 

Ramaphosa gives updates on schools reopening in South Africa

South Africa president Cyril Ramaphosa spoke on Monday about the country's plans for the reopening of schools which was supposed to take place today but has been delayed following concerns from parent and teachers about children's safety.

"In the days and weeks to come, we will be closely monitoring the return to school," Ramaphosa said. "If we follow the protocols and maintain all precautions – as parents, educators, communities and learners – we will effectively minimise the risk posed by the coronavirus. Ultimately it is both our personal actions and our collective efforts that will keep our children safe. Whatever we do next, we need to do together".

Nigeria "has yet to reach peak of Covid-19 cases"

Nigeria's Presidential Task Force has said that the country has yet to reach the peak of coronavirus infections and warned that the battle against the virus will almost certainly be a a long-term one.

Lockdown restrictions on churches and mosques lifted in Nigeria

Nigeria's government has announced the relaxation of the restriction placed on places of worship. Presidential Task Force (PTF) chairman Boss Mustapha explained in today's press briefing,  “There is a ban on gatherings of more than 20 people outside of a workplace. There will be relaxation of restriction on places of worship based on guidelines issued by the PTF and protocols agreed by state governments".

Zimbabwe summons US ambassador over comments on Floyd protests

Zimbabwe summoned the US ambassador in Harare on Monday after a senior White House official said the country was among "foreign adversaries" using the unrest overthe death of George Floyd to interfere in US affairs.

Protests demanding justice for Floyd have spread across the United States and turned violent. Robert O'Brien, President Donald Trump's national security advisor, told ABC news in an interview on Sunday that countries such as Russia, China, Iran and Zimbabwe were using the unrest to stoke tensions in the United States.

In a statement, Zimbabwe's Foreign Minister Sibusiso Moyo said O'Brien's accusations were "false and deeply damaging to a relationship already complicated due to years of prescriptive megaphone diplomacy and punitive economic sanctions. We take due note of the measures deployed by the U.S. authorities to deal with the challenges currently confronting them. At the same time, we recall the harsh U.S. criticism and condemnation of our own response to multiple instances of illegal, violent civil unrest".

Ebola outbreak kills four in DR Congo

Four people have died amid a fresh outbreak of ebola in Equateur province in DR Congo, the country’s health minister says. “There are already four deaths and four suspected cases,” Eteni Longondo said.

There have been no confirmed coronavirus cases in Equateur province, which is located in the west of DR Congo. Overall, the country has reported 3,195 Covid-19 cases, leading to 72 deaths.

Covid-19

Coronavirus: the complete guide to the Covid-19 pandemic

Coronavirus: the complete guide to the Covid-19 pandemic

All the information you need to understand the coronavirus and ways to stay safe during the Covid-19 pandemic:

South Africans queue up as booze ban ends

Customers queue to buy alcohol at Makro Silverlakes Liquor Store in Pretoria on Monday, after South Africa moved into level three of a five-tier lockdown and a nationwide ban on alcohol sales was lifted.

Under level three, all but high-risk sectors of the economy are allowed to reopen, with liquor sales resuming for home consumption only. (Photo by Phill Magakoe / AFP)

EU gives Uganda €178m to fund coronavirus response

(Reuters) The European Union said on Monday it was giving Uganda 178 million euros ($198 million) in credit and grants to fund its coronavirus response, including extending credit to small businesses hit by the economic crisis induced by the outbreak.

The EU said the money would partly help finance Uganda's "immediate sanitary and humanitarian needs," such as obtaining personal protective equipment, infrared thermometers, mobile laboratories and test kits.

The money would also "help mitigate the economic and social impact of the crisis, especially through supporting livelihoods and employment."

Namibian president held lock down party

Hage Geingob took the unusual step of hosting a lock down defying party, then fined all of his guests, including his vice president and prime minister. 

South Africa lifts lockdown

The South African government implemented a partial easing of the nationwide lockdown on Monday in an attempt to kickstart the economy.  

South Africa loosens lockdown in economic recovery effort

(Reuters) South Africa sought to revive its stuttering economy on Monday with the partial lifting of a coronavirus lockdown, letting people out for work, worship or shopping, and allowing mines and factories to run at full capacity.

President Cyril Ramaphosa was widely praised when he ordered a strict lockdown at the end of March, but the measures have battered the economy of Africa's most industrialised nation, which was already in recession before the coronavirus. 

South Africa's central bank expects the economy, which has been hard hit by the impact of power cuts at crisis-hit state energy firm Eskom, to contract by 7% this year.

Poll on state responsibility

As with other countries around the world, the onus for coronavirus management is being pushed back to the regional authorities.

More Ugandans to return home

June brings change

As certain restrictions are eased, it's important to be clear on the new regulations.

A look back

If you want a recap on the coronavirus news in Africa yesterday you can check out our feed. Headlines included:

- Armed bandits kill at least 18 in Nigeria's Katsina state

- Egypt tweaks curfew hours as coronavirus cases surge

- Namibia shuts harbour town airport after two coronavirus infections

- Rwanda reports first coronavirus death

- Kenyans embrace voluntary testing scheme

Africa Covid-19 update: 07:30 WAT on Monday 1 June (08:30 CEST)

According to the latest figures published by Johns Hopkins University, 6,170,556 cases have been detected worldwide, with 372,099 deaths and 2,642,188 people now recovered.

Nigeria: 10,162 cases / 287 deaths
South Africa: 32,683 cases / 683 deaths
Ghana: 8,070 cases / 36 deaths

Coronavirus live Africa updates: welcome

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

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