COVID-19 has eventually broken the jinx of no death record in Madagascar as the country on Monday 18 announced its first COVID-19 death.
The death occurred on Saturday night, the authorities said.
Hanta Danielle Vololontiana, the country’s national COVID-19 task force spokesperson, Hanta explained that the deceased was a 57-year-old medical worker, who suffered from diabetes and high blood pressure.
“A man died from COVID-19 in Madagascar … he is 57 years old and a member of the medical staff,” she said.
Presently, the Indian Ocean Island has reported 21 new cases, bringing the total number of cases to 304.
This first COVID-19 fatality is happening weeks after the country’s President, Andry Rajoelina, launched COVID-Organics, touted as a homegrown herbal remedy for the respiratory disease, and it is acclaimed to prevent and cure coronavirus patients.
The World Health Organisation had warned against the use of CVO without medical supervision and cautioned against self-medication.
The WHO, on Thursday, said it was in touch with Madagascar over its herbal drink.
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The Regional Director of WHO office in Africa, Matshidiso Moeti, told a media briefing, ”We have offered to support the design of a study to look into this product – COVID Organics.”
Despite the warning from the world health body about the product, Nigeria, alongside some other African countries, have received deliveries of the herbal remedy from Madagascar.
Since the virus emerged in Wuhan, China, last December, it has spread to 196 countries and territories.
The global death toll from COVID-19 has exceeded 312,200, with more than 4.65 million confirmed cases and recoveries surpassing 1.7 million based on a running tally by US-based Johns Hopkins University.
