The highest number of severe cases of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) has been recorded over the past week, with over 1,000 people currently seeking treatment in intensive care units. Over the last 10 days, more than 20,600 cases have been recorded, a 91pc increase compared to the same period last month; 275 have lost their lives, and 1,031 have been admitted to intensive care units. The total number of cases a year since the pandemic first broke out in the country sits at more than 238,000, while 3,300 have lost their lives. Officials at the Ministry of Health are attempting to enforce safety protocols whereby people who go against wearing protective face masks in public places and keeping physical distance face charges. Since the Ministry announced this rule, 73,000 individuals have been arrested for failure to comply, authorities disclosed. Meanwhile, more than 430,000 people have taken their first jabs from the 2.5 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine that were brought into the country. Priority has been given to medical professionals, people above the age of 65, and those 55 and over with proven pre-existing medical conditions. The issue of medical oxygen has yet to see a lasting solution, with treatment centres across Addis Abeba continuing to report severe shortages. Lia Tadesse (MD), minister of Health, told the media last week that her Ministry has managed to increase the amount of supply to 2,500 cylinders a day from around half that amount just a few weeks ago. Another 253 mechanical ventilators are being distributed, pushing the total number available in the city to 473.
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