DAR ES SALAAM — The United States of America citizens residing in Tanzania have been urged to remain home except for essential activities, warning that the risk of contracting COVID-19 in Dar es Salaam is extremely high.
The US Embassy in Tanzania in a health alert issued on May 13, 2020 also raised concern over the rising and unreported COVID-19 cases in the country for now two weeks.
“Despite limited official reports, all evidence points to exponential growth of the epidemic in Dar [es Salaam] and other locations in Tanzania,” the alert reads.
According to the American embassy, the Tanzanian government has not released any data on COVID since April 29, so there is no current data on the number of people diagnosed with COVID-19 in the country.
It further notes that many hospitals in Dar es Salaam have been overwhelmed in recent weeks.
“Limited hospital capacity throughout Tanzania could result in life-threatening delays for medical care, including for those with COVID-19,” the embassy adds.
Embassy has since advised US nationals to substantially limit entry of people into their private homes except regular residents.
“U.S. citizens who remain in Tanzania should be prepared to remain abroad for an indefinite period. The U.S. government does not anticipate arranging additional repatriation flights in Tanzania at this time. However, in the event that opportunity becomes available, we are asking you to let us know if you are interested in being contacted,” the embassy said.
Tanzania suspended all international passenger planes on April 11 and international commercial flight options no longer exist in the country.
As of May 13, confirmed coronavirus cases in East Africa are 1,700, Africa 69,597 while world tally had reached 4,361,654