First two COVID-19 cases reported in Burundi

The first two cases of the novel coronavirus have been reported in Burundi, Health Minister Thaddee Ndikumana said at a press conference Tuesday evening.

The two patients, respectively 56 and 42 years old, are Burundian nationals who entered Burundi from Rwanda. One had traveled to Dubai, Ndikumana said, adding they are residents of the commercial capital Bujumbura and had symptoms of the novel coronavirus.

Ndikumana said that they were admitted to Bumerec Hospital in Bujumbura, and that the hospital alerted the health ministry after suspecting that they had COVID-19.

"Both COVID-19 patients have been referred to the Prince Louis Rwagasore Hospital which is entitled to treat the disease," said Ndikumana.

He noted that three suspected cases of the novel coronavirus alerted by the hospital of Giteranyi in Muyinga, northeast Burundi, were all negative.

The remaining east African nation where the COVID-19 has not been reported is South Sudan.