Malawi was the last to close schools when President Lazarus Chakwera announced they would close for three weeks after a surge in numbers.
The country had not reported any cases for more than two months, but now they are on the rise, and a third of the 353 total deaths have occurred in the past two weeks, according to data from John Hopkins University.
Chakwera said he has ordered an increase in the number of testing sites and hired additional medical personnel, noting that the facilities in the country are terribly understaffed. The president said he has instructed the Secretary of the Treasury to allocate about $ 23 million as soon as possible “to meet the demands of the current disaster.
In neighboring Zambia, schools were set to reopen on January 18, but this has been delayed by another two weeks due to the rising number of cases. They will now open on Feb. 1, authorities said.
Like Malawi, Zimbabwe has only allowed exam classes, but under strict Covid-19 rules.
‘Sad and angry’ parents
However, in Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, schools reopened on January 18, despite opposition from some legislators and a growing number of cases in the country.
Parents there told CNN they are concerned about the decision to send children back to school.
Brenda Uphopho, a festival director from Lagos, said she chose to keep her nine-year-old son at home.
“I don’t understand why this is happening,” she said. “I’m so upset and angry. It’s okay for kids to miss school? They can catch up with their studies if it’s safe.”
South Africa, with the highest number of cases in Africa and has dealt with a new virulent strain of the virus, delaying the reopening of schools by another two weeks.
“Given the pressures the health system has faced in recent weeks from 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. “said Deputy Minister of Elementary Education, Reginah Mhaule, MP in a statement.
South Africa registered 12,710 new cases on Wednesday, bringing the total number of infections to nearly 1.4 million. According to data from John Hopkins University, 566 died of the virus, with an additional 839 fatalities the day before.
In Malawi, hospitals are ‘overloaded’ with patients and empty beds are scarce. Medical supplies, including ventilators, were also in short supply.
A national disaster
Chakwera declared a national disaster On January 12 in all 28 districts of Malawi in response to the recent peak.
He has since sought support from donors, including the United Nations.
But there has been criticism of the way the government is dealing with the virus. A recent report from Oxfam indicates that the previous government – which lost power last June after a rerun of the presidential election – used 80% of the money raised in the Covid-19 fight against grants. The charity warned the current government not to repeat the same mistakes.
Onjezani Kenani, a campaigner who has called on the government to equip hospitals with medical supplies and personal protective equipment, asked for donations to help hospitals on Jan. 15 via a Facebook post.
“Friends, I prefer action,” he said. “We can point out that our government is not doing well, but the fact is that the people out there are suffering and some are dying. While the government is doing its part, you and I can join in and do ours.”
“That is why I welcome the efforts of private citizens who are already running capital campaigns to raise money to meet these needs,” said President Chakwera, acknowledging the effort. “I would urge private sector companies to follow suit and practice their corporate social responsibility at this critical hour.