COVID-19: Mali Confirms First Case

The Republic of Mali on Wednesday announced its first two cases of COVID-19.

The government in a statement said two of its citizens who arrived from France in mid-March has been confirmed positive for the virus, and are undergoing medical treatment.

The statement also said people should “remain calm and strictly respect the recommended preventive measures”.

There are fears that Mali is at particular risk in the event of an outbreak, however.

The country has been struggling to contain an Islamist insurgency that erupted in the north in 2012, and which has claimed thousands of military and civilian lives since.

The conflict has since spread to the centre of the country — and large swathes of the vast semi-arid state has been claimed by insurgents.

All of Mali’s seven neighboring countries have also declared coronavirus cases.