COVID-19 infections show downward trend in DR Congo's capital

FILE PIC: The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) sees a downward trend in hospital occupancy rates. /VCG

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) sees a downward trend in hospital occupancy rates in its capital Kinshasa, the epicenter of the country's ongoing third wave, according to a government statement released Saturday.

DRC's Health Minister Jean-Jacque Mbungani made the remarks at the cabinet meeting on Friday, promising the government's efforts to provide equipment for provinces affected by the pandemic.

According to the minutes of DRC's cabinet meeting, Mbungani noted that the statistics presented in Kinshasa have seen a downward trend in hospital occupancy rates from 80 percent to 7 percent, thanks to the measures to curb the COVID-19 third wave in the country.

Since Tuesday, vaccination centers across the DRC have reopened their doors after the country has received on August 13 more than 51,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccines through the COVAX mechanism.

According to the statement, Mbungani also announced the anticipated arrival in September of a new batch of vaccines against COVID-19.

Since the beginning of the epidemic declared on March 10, 2020, the country has recorded 53,899 positive cases and 1,053 deaths. According to WHO, as of Aug. 20, 2021, a total of 86,914 vaccine doses have been administered.

Source(s): Xinhua News Agency