Tanzania confirms first coronavirus death, health minister says

Tanzania confirmed its first coronavirus death on Tuesday, health minister Ummy Mwalimu said in a statement.

The 49-year-old Tanzanian man had been admitted to Mloganzila Hospital in Dar es Salaam for treatment.

“Ninasikitika kutangaza kifo cha kwanza cha mgonjwa wa COVID-19 (ambukizo la virusi vya corona) hapa nchini kilichotokea alfajiri ya leo tarehe 31 Machi 2020,” the statement from the Minister reads.

According to the Minister, the deceased had pre-existing conditions.

Tanzania had 19 confirmed cases of coronavirus as of Monday with Minister Mwalimu reporting that one other person has recovered from coronavirus.

Last week, Opposition leaders in Tanzania criticized the government’s response to the coronavirus after President John Magufuli said he would never close down places of worship.

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While Tanzania has been taking the same measures against coronavirus as other African nations — closing schools, quarantining foreign arrivals, and banning public events — Magufuli’s government refused to close down churches.

At a Sunday service this week, Magufuli said the virus is “satanic” and therefore cannot thrive in churches.

The chairman of the opposition Civic United Front party, Ibrahim Lipumba, told VOA that government statements on the virus should focus on prevention.

If people continue gathering in crowds, he said, there will be danger.

Abdul Nondo, youth representative for the Alliance for Change and Transparency party, said via a messaging app that Magafuli’s statement goes against World Health Organization guidance.

Italy was hit hard by the disease because they delayed taking strong measures, he added.

Supporters say the Tanzanian president’s vow to keep churches open is designed to comfort people and prevent fear over the coronavirus.

But it also risks discouraging the public from taking preventive measures seriously.

Dar es Salaam resident Joel Majula said he is less afraid of the virus after Magufuli’s comments on churches.

When the faithful to go to mosques and churches, they wash their hands, which they believe is the best way to prevent the disease, he said, adding that they don’t believe people gathering together could bring negative effects.