Analyse épidémiologique COVID-19 - Mars 2021

Up to 24 March 2021, the Ministry of Health in Djibouti confirmed 6,895 cases of COVID-19 in Djibouti, with 64 fatalities reported since the beginning of the pandemic. The progress of the epidemiological situation in Djibouti during the month of March 2021 is highly alarming. There is a remarkable increase in the number of cases during the past four epidemiological weeks (epi week 9, 10 11, and 12 from 28 February to 24 March 2021) with more than 828 new cases reported during this period including one fatality reported. This number of new cases almost equals the number of cases reported in the country during the period from September 2020 to February 2021. The positivity rate increased from a range of 0% to 4%, during the past few months, to be up to 18% during the current month. The case fatality rate stayed stable at 1% with one reported deaths from COVID-19 in the country during the month of March 2021.

The Presidency and the government revitalized the barrier measures necessary to decrease the community transmission through a presidential decree signed and communicated on 18 March 2021, requesting the wearing of face mask and physical distancing as mandatory requirements in public and governmental places. This decree come after a period of release due to the low number of cases reported previously in Djibouti, and the ZERO reporting that was repeated several times from September 2020 to February 2021, with the last time reported on 24 February 2021, as a unique case for all countries in the Eastern Mediterranean Region of WHO and East Africa Region.

A quick reminder of the WHO Recommended Preventive Measures for the Workplace

• Maintain a physical distancing of at least 1.5 meters;
• Wear a mask specially in the presence of anyone within range;
• Minimize the need for physical meetings through teleconferencing;
• Postpone or suspend workplace events and social gatherings;
• Be careful if you have pre-existing health conditions or comorbidities, especially for pregnant women, and elderly over 60 years old;
• Clean hands frequently with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer;
• Ensure respiratory hygiene by covering your mouth and nose with your flexed elbow when coughing or sneezing;
• Avoid physical contact, such as hugging, touching or shaking hands;
• If you have any symptom of COVID-19, isolate yourself, seek medical advice and do not come to office.”