Guinea-Bissau PM tests positive for coronavirus

The prime minister of the west African country of Guinea-Bissau and several other senior officials have tested positive for COVID-19.

Prime Minister Nuno Nabian and at least three other members of his government are infected, Lusa quoted Health Minister Antonio Deuna as saying in a televised address on Wednesday.

A government source told Lusa that the other infected officials are Interior Minister Botche Cande and two secretaries of state, Mario Fambe and Monica Buaro.

The cases are related to a senior Interior Ministry official who has died, Lusa reported.

Guinea-Bissau had recorded 73 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and one death by Wednesday, according to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.

The small country, which has a population of about 1.8 million, is considered one of Africa's most volatile states, with 16 coup attempts since it gained independence in 1974. Four succeeded.

Nabian has served as prime minister since February.

 

Dhaka/Mukul