Ethiopia reports more than 1,800 new COVID-19 cases, 17 deaths

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia

The Ethiopian Ministry of Health on Friday reported 1,829 new confirmed COVID-19 cases pushing the total caseload to 37,665.

It is the second consecutive day Ethiopia has recorded more than 1,700 cases.

The ministry also reported 17 additional deaths from the disease taking the nationwide tally to 637. The number of recoveries also rose to 13,913 after 377 new recoveries were recorded.

Ethiopia has so far tested just over 717,000 people and currently has just over 23,000 active cases.

Ethiopia is the worst affected country in the East African region having surpassed Kenya in terms of numbers of confirmed positive cases and deaths. Ethiopia has, however, recorded a lower number of recoveries compared to Kenya.

The Ethiopian government launched a nationwide month long testing campaign which is expected to determine the next steps it will undertake in its response to the pandemic.