Malawi was the latest to close schools when President Lazarus Chakwera announced they would close three weeks after a sharp increase in numbers.
According to data from John Hopkins University, the country has not reported any cases for more than two months, but now it has increased and a third of the 353 total deaths have occurred in the past two weeks.
Chakwera said he had ordered an increase in the number of test areas and recruited additional medical staff, noting that the facilities in the country were terribly understaffed. The president said he had instructed the finance minister to allocate $ 23 million as soon as possible to meet the demands of the current disaster.
In neighboring Zambia, schools would reopen on January 18, but this was delayed by another two weeks due to rising case numbers. They will now open on February 1, authorities said.
Zimbabwe, like Malawi, only allowed exam classes to open, but under strict Covid-19 rules.
‘Sad and angry’ parents
In Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa, however, schools reopened on January 18 despite opposition from some lawmakers and an increasing number of cases in the country.
Parents there told CNN they were concerned about the decision to send children back to school.
Brenda Uphopho, a festival director from Lagos, said she decided to keep her nine-year-old son at home.
“I do not understand why this is happening,” she said. “I’m so upset and angry. Is it good for kids to miss school? They can catch up on their studies if it’s safe.”
South Africa, which has the most cases in Africa and was dealing with a new virus strain, which delayed the reopening of schools by another two weeks.
“Given the pressure the health system has been experiencing over the past few weeks caused by increased COVID-19 infections leading to the second wave, the Board of Education has decided to delay the reopening of both public and private schools. “Deputy Deputy Minister of Basic Education Reginah Mhaule, MP, said in a statement.
South Africa registered 12 710 new cases on Wednesday, bringing the total number of infections to almost 1.4 million. According to data from John Hopkins University, 566 people died from the virus, with another 839 deaths the previous day.
In Malawi, hospitals are ‘overwhelmed’ with patients and empty beds are scarce. Medical supplies, including fans, were also not enough.
A state national disaster
Chakwera declared a national disaster oJanuary 12 in all 28 districts of Malawi in response to the recent rise.
He has since called for support from donors, including the United Nations.
But there is criticism of the handling of the virus by the government. A recent report by Oxfam indicates that the previous government – which lost power last June after a repeat of the presidential election – used 80% of the funds raised for the Covid-19 fight against grants . The charity has warned the current government against the same mistakes.
Onjezani Kenani, a campaigner who called on the government to equip hospitals with medical supplies and personal protective equipment, asked for donations through a Facebook post on January 15 to help hospitals.
“Friends, I prefer action,” he said. “We can point out things that our government is not doing right, but the fact is that the people out there are suffering and some are dying. If the government does its part, you and I can ring and do ours.”
“I therefore welcome the efforts of private citizens who are already campaigning for capital to raise money to meet these needs,” President Chakwera said. ‘I would like to call on the private sector to follow this example and exercise their social responsibility in this critical time.