Tunisian health minister fearful of fourth wave

Health Minister Faouzi Mehdi has expressed concerns about an approaching fourth wave of the coronavirus.

JOHANNESBURG, May 21 (ANA) – Tunisia’s Health Minister Faouzi Mehdi has expressed concerns about an approaching fourth wave of the coronavirus in the North African country, according to Tunis Afrique Presse (TAP).

The news agency reported on Thursday that Mehdi said the positivity rate of tests was still high, reaching 34% in public hospitals and an overall average of 20%, at a hearing held at the House of People’s Representatives.

According to TAP, by Wednesday the death toll had crossed the threshold of 12,000.

He also explained that failure to respect the measures put in place would result in the spread of the virus and worsen the health situation.

Mehdi emphasised that the fight against the coronavirus was far from over as the number of fatalities during the first half of May was more than a thousand, exceeding the toll recorded last February and March.

“Public hospitals are still under pressure”, Mehdi said.

He also commended the medical personnel who spearheaded the fight against the coronavirus and described them as “brave soldiers of the white army”.

The Guardian reported on Wednesday that Tunisia ended its one-week lockdown despite having the highest reported deaths per capita of any country in Africa.

According to The Guardian, Covid-19 cases in the country were initially low last year, with a six-week lockdown involving the closure of borders and shutting down all but essential commercial activity appearing to halt the spread of the virus.

In its latest update, Tunisia has recorded 331,674 cases of Covid-19, including 292,825 recoveries and 12,089 deaths.

– African News Agency (ANA); Editing by Yaron Blecher