Malawi was the last to close schools when President Lazarus Chakwera announced that they would close for three weeks after a sharp increase in numbers.
The country has reported no cases for more than two months, but now they have increased and a third of the total 353 deaths have occurred in the past two weeks, according to data from John Hopkins University.
Chakwera said he ordered an increase in the number of test sites and recruited additional medical personnel, noting that facilities in the country are understaffed. The president said he instructed the Minister of Finance to allocate about $ 23 million as soon as possible to meet the demands of the current disaster.
In neighboring Zambia, schools were scheduled to reopen on January 18, but this was postponed for another two weeks due to the increase in the number of cases. They will now open on February 1, officials said.
Zimbabwe, like Malawi, only allowed classes to open for exams, but under strict Covid-19 rules.
‘Anguished and angry’ parents
However, in Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, schools reopened on January 18, despite opposition from some lawmakers and an increasing number of cases in the country.
The parents there told CNN that they are concerned about the decision to send their children back to school.
Brenda Uphopho, director of the Lagos festival, said she chose to keep her nine-year-old son at home.
“I don’t understand why this is happening,” she said. “I am so distressed and angry. Is it normal for children to miss school? They can catch up when it is safe.”
South Africa, which has the highest number of cases in Africa and has been dealing with a new virulent strain of the virus, delaying the reopening of schools for another two weeks.
“Given the pressure suffered by the health system in recent weeks, caused by the increase in COVID-19 infections that led to the second wave, the Education Council .. took the decision to postpone the reopening of public and private schools,” Basic Education Minister 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. 566 died of the virus, with another 839 deaths the previous day, according to data from John Hopkins University.
In Malawi, hospitals are ‘overloaded’ with patients and empty beds are scarce. Medical supplies, including ventilators, are also in short supply.
A statewide national disaster
Chakwera declared a statewide national disaster On January 12 in all 28 districts of Malawi in response to the recent increase.
He has since asked for support from donors, including the United Nations.
But there was criticism about how the government handled the virus. A recent Oxfam report indicates that the previous government – which lost power last June after a repeat presidential election – used 80% of the funds raised for Covid-19’s fight in subsidies. The institution warned the current government against repeating the same mistakes.
Onjezani Kenani, an activist who asked the government to equip hospitals with medical supplies and personal protective equipment, asked for donations to help hospitals through a Facebook post on January 15.
“Friends, I prefer action,” he said. “We may be pointing out things that our government is not doing right, but the fact is that people are suffering out there and some are dying. While the government is doing its part, you and I can step in and do ours.”
“So I applaud the efforts of private citizens who are already running capital campaigns to raise money to go to these needs,” said President Chakwera, acknowledging the effort. “I would like to ask companies in the private sector to follow this example and practice their corporate social responsibility at this critical time.