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Zimbabwe doctors, nurses strike over little virus protection

Associated Press

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A man running on top of a sewage pipe at Katlehong, east of Johannesburg, South Africa, Tuesday, March 24, 2020, a day after it was announced that South Africa will go into a nationwide lockdown for 21 days from Thursday to fight the spread of the new coronavirus. The highly contagious COVID-19 coronavirus can cause mild symptoms, but for some it can cause severe illness including pneumonia. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
A man wearing a mask, sells traditional hats on the street in Daveyton, east of Johannesburg, South Africa, Tuesday, March 24, 2020, a day after it was announced that South Africa will go into a nationwide lockdown for 21 days from Thursday to fight the spread of the new coronavirus. For most people the virus causes only mild or moderate symptoms. For others it can cause more severe illness, especially in older adults and people with existing health problems. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
Shoppers make their way through a supermarket in Johannesburg, Wednesday, March 25, 2020 before the country of 57 million people, will go into a nationwide lockdown for 21 days from Thursday to fight the spread of the new coronavirus. For most people the virus causes only mild or moderate symptoms . For others it can cause more severe illness, especially in older adults and people with existing health problems. (AP Photo/Denis Farrell)
Travelers, some wearing a protective mask, take a bus from the Colobane Bus Station in Dakar, Senegal, Tuesday March 24, 2020. The transport Ministry has announced a limit to the number of passengers in the bus to prevent the risk of contamination by the Coronavirus. The highly contagious COVID-19 coronavirus can cause mild symptoms, but for some it can cause severe illness including pneumonia that may force admission to hospital. (AP Photo/Sylvain Cherkaoui)
Travelers, some wearing a protective mask, take a bus from the Colobane Bus Station in Dakar, Senegal, Tuesday March 24, 2020. The transport Ministry has announced a limit to the number of passengers to carried in a bus at one time, to prevent the risk of contamination by the Coronavirus. The highly contagious COVID-19 coronavirus can cause mild symptoms, but for some it can cause severe illness including pneumonia that may force admission to hospital. (AP Photo/Sylvain Cherkaoui)
In this photo taken Tuesday, March 24, 2020, a homeless person prepares to sleep next to others on the side of a road in the Mathare slum, or informal settlement, of Nairobi, Kenya. Many slum residents say staying at home or social-distancing is impossible for those who live hand to mouth, receiving daily wages for informal work with no food or economic assistance from the government, as is maintaining sanitation where a pit latrine can be shared by over 50 people. The new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people, but for some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness or death. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)
In this photo taken Tuesday, March 24, 2020, a drunk homeless person preaches to others as they sleep on the street outside a church in the Mathare slum, or informal settlement, of Nairobi, Kenya. Many slum residents say staying at home or social-distancing is impossible for those who live hand to mouth, receiving daily wages for informal work with no food or economic assistance from the government, as is maintaining sanitation where a pit latrine can be shared by over 50 people. The new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people, but for some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness or death. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)
In this photo taken Tuesday, March 24, 2020, a passenger looks out from a bus transporting people from the city to the countryside, where some feel they will be safer, in the Mathare slum, or informal settlement, of Nairobi, Kenya. Many slum residents say staying at home or social-distancing is impossible for those who live hand to mouth, receiving daily wages for informal work with no food or economic assistance from the government, as is maintaining sanitation where a pit latrine can be shared by over 50 people. The new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people, but for some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness or death. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)
In this Tuesday March 24, 2020, photo, a street is empty in Dakar, Senegal as an 8pm to 6am curfew is enforced in an effort to fight the coronavirus outbreak. The new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people, but for some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness or death. (AP Photo/Sylvain Cherkaoui)
In this photo taken Tuesday, March 24, 2020, a homeless man prepares to sleep next to others on the side of a road in the Mathare slum, or informal settlement, of Nairobi, Kenya. Many slum residents say staying at home or social-distancing is impossible for those who live hand to mouth, receiving daily wages for informal work with no food or economic assistance from the government, as is maintaining sanitation where a pit latrine can be shared by over 50 people. The new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people, but for some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness or death. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)
In this photo taken Tuesday, March 24, 2020, a street trader sells cabbages by the side of the road, after the government ordered the closure of the main open air market, in the Mathare slum, or informal settlement, of Nairobi, Kenya. Many slum residents say staying at home or social-distancing is impossible for those who live hand to mouth, receiving daily wages for informal work with no food or economic assistance from the government, as is maintaining sanitation where a pit latrine can be shared by over 50 people. The new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people, but for some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness or death. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)
In this photo taken Tuesday, March 24, 2020, a barber continues his trade despite the fear of the new coronavirus, saying "It's better to die sick than die hungry", in the Mathare slum, or informal settlement, of Nairobi, Kenya. Many slum residents say staying at home or social-distancing is impossible for those who live hand to mouth, receiving daily wages for informal work with no food or economic assistance from the government, as is maintaining sanitation where a pit latrine can be shared by over 50 people. The new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people, but for some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness or death. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)
In this photo taken Tuesday, March 24, 2020, residents walk through a small and crowded market where social-distancing is difficult, in the Mathare slum, or informal settlement, of Nairobi, Kenya. Many slum residents say staying at home or social-distancing is impossible for those who live hand to mouth, receiving daily wages for informal work with no food or economic assistance from the government, as is maintaining sanitation where a pit latrine can be shared by over 50 people. The new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people, but for some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness or death. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)
In this photo taken Tuesday, March 24, 2020, a truck drives around to create awareness of hand washing being one of the easiest and most effective ways to limit the spread of the new coronavirus, in the Mathare slum, or informal settlement, of Nairobi, Kenya. Many slum residents say staying at home or social-distancing is impossible for those who live hand to mouth, receiving daily wages for informal work with no food or economic assistance from the government, as is maintaining sanitation where a pit latrine can be shared by over 50 people. The new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people, but for some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness or death. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)
Barbers wearing protective masks attend to customers in the township of Soweto, outside Johannesburg, South Africa, Wednesday March 25, 2020. South Africa will go into a nationwide lockdown for 21 days starting Friday morning, in an effort to mitigate the spread to the coronavirus. The new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people, but for some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness or death.(AP Photo/Jerome Delay)
A masked shopper leaves leaves an almost deserted Sandton City Mall in Johannesburg, Wednesday, March 25, 2020 before the country of 57 million people, will go into a nationwide lockdown for 21 days from Thursday to fight the spread of the new coronavirus. The new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people, but for some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness or death. (AP Photo/Denis Farrell)
A masked shopper leaves an almost deserted Sandton City Mall in Johannesburg, Wednesday, March 25, 2020, before the country of 57 million people, will go into a nationwide lockdown for 21 days from Thursday to fight the spread of the new coronavirus. The new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people, but for some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness or death. (AP Photo/Denis Farrell)
Wigs are sold under an advert for a popular television series in the township of Soweto, outside Johannesburg, South Africa, Wednesday March 25, 2020. South Africa will go into a nationwide lockdown for 21 days starting Friday morning, in an effort to mitigate the spread to the coronavirus. The new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people, but for some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness or death. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)
A young boy rides a cart used to carry refuse bags in an informal settlement of Soweto, South Africa, Wednesday March 25, 2020. South Africa will go into a nationwide lockdown for 21 days starting Friday morning, in an effort to control the spread to the coronavirus. The new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people, but for some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness or death. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)
A billboard is installed on an apartment building in Cape Town, South Africa, Wednesday, March 25, 2020, before the country of 57 million people, will go into a nationwide lockdown for 21 days from Thursday to fight the spread of the new coronavirus. The new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people, but for some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness or death. (AP Photo/Nardus Engelbrecht)
A statue of former President Nelson Mandela looks over a deserted Mandela Square in Johannesburg, Wednesday, March 25, 2020, before the country of 57 million people, will go into a nationwide lockdown for 21 days from Thursday to fight the spread of the new coronavirus. The new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people, but for some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness or death. (AP Photo/Denis Farrell)
Women are seen in a queue for maize meal at a supermarket in Harare, Zimbabwe, Wednesday, March 25, 2020. Zimbabwe's public hospital doctors went on strike Wednesday over what they called a lack of adequate protective gear as the coronavirus begins to spread in a country whose health system has almost collapsed. The new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people, but for some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness or death.(AP Photo/Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi)
A man wearing a mask is seen near a food queue in Harare, Zimbabwe, Wednesday, March 25, 2020. Zimbabwe's public hospital doctors went on strike Wednesday over what they called a lack of adequate protective gear as the coronavirus begins to spread in a country whose health system has almost collapsed. The new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people, but for some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness or death.(AP Photo/Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi)
Zimbabwean police control a crowd that had gathered to buy maize meal at a supermarket in Harare, Zimbabwe, Wednesday, March 25, 2020. Zimbabwe's public hospital doctors went on strike Wednesday over what they called a lack of adequate protective gear as the coronavirus begins to spread in a country whose health system has almost collapsed. The new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people, but for some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness or death. (AP Photo/Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi)
Zimbabwean police control a crowd that had gathered to buy maize meal at a supermarket in Harare, Zimbabwe, Wednesday, March 25, 2020. Zimbabwe's public hospital doctors went on strike Wednesday over what they called a lack of adequate protective gear as the coronavirus begins to spread in a country whose health system has almost collapsed. The new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people, but for some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness or death. (AP Photo/Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi)
People join a queue to buy maize meal at a supermarket in Harare, Zimbabwe, Wednesday, March 25, 2020. Zimbabwe's public hospital doctors went on strike Wednesday over what they called a lack of adequate protective gear as the coronavirus begins to spread in a country whose health system has almost collapsed. The new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people, but for some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness or death. (AP Photo/Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi) ///
A council worker wears a face mask while cleaning the streets in Harare, Zimbabwe, Wednesday, March 25, 2020. Zimbabwe's public hospital doctors went on strike Wednesday over what they called a lack of adequate protective gear as the coronavirus begins to spread in a country whose health system has almost collapsed. The new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people, but for some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness or death. (AP Photo/Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi)
People join a queue to buy maize meal at a supermarket in Harare, Zimbabwe, Wednesday, March 25, 2020. Zimbabwe's public hospital doctors went on strike Wednesday over what they called a lack of adequate protective gear as the coronavirus begins to spread in a country whose health system has almost collapsed. The new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people, but for some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness or death. (AP Photo/Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi)
A council worker wears a face mask while cleaning the streets in Harare, Zimbabwe, Wednesday, March 25, 2020. Zimbabwe's public hospital doctors went on strike Wednesday over what they called a lack of adequate protective gear as the coronavirus begins to spread in a country whose health system has almost collapsed. The new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people, but for some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness or death. (AP Photo/Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi) ///
A man sprays disinfectant on a bicycle taxi in the Kibuye Market area of Kisumu in western Kenya Wednesday, March 25, 2020. The new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people, but for some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness or death. (AP Photo/Amos Aura)
A laboratory technician from Mount Kenya University produces hand sanitizer gel from locally-produced alcohol in response to the scarcity of such products as a result of high demand due to the new coronavirus, for use by the tens of thousands of university students and staff in its campuses across the country, in Thika, north of the capital Nairobi, in Kenya Wednesday, March 25, 2020. The new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people, but for some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness or death. (AP Photo/John Muchucha)
Laboratory technicians from Mount Kenya University produce hand sanitizer gel from locally-produced alcohol in response to the scarcity of such products as a result of high demand due to the new coronavirus, for use by the tens of thousands of university students and staff in its campuses across the country, in Thika, north of the capital Nairobi, in Kenya Wednesday, March 25, 2020. The new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people, but for some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness or death. (AP Photo/John Muchucha)

Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

A man running on top of a sewage pipe at Katlehong, east of Johannesburg, South Africa, Tuesday, March 24, 2020, a day after it was announced that South Africa will go into a nationwide lockdown for 21 days from Thursday to fight the spread of the new coronavirus. The highly contagious COVID-19 coronavirus can cause mild symptoms, but for some it can cause severe illness including pneumonia. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

JOHANNESBURG – Zimbabwe's public hospital doctors and nurses went on strike Wednesday over a lack of protective gear as the coronavirus begins to spread in a country whose health system has almost collapsed. It's the latest blow to a nation where some patients' families are asked to provide such basics as gloves and clean water.

“Right now we are exposed and no one seems to care,” said Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association president, Tawanda Zvakada. The president of the Zimbabwe Nurses Association, Enock Dongo, confirmed nurses' participation. Zimbabwe has three cases of COVID-19 and recorded its first death this week.

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Neighboring South Africa's coronavirus cases jumped to 709, its health minister said, as the country with Africa's most cases prepared to go into lockdown Friday. Dog-walking is barred, police said, along with running and alcohol sales. Borders are closed to human traffic.

South Africa's police minister, Bheki Cele, said two people with the coronavirus have been charged with attempted murder because they didn't obey orders to isolate themselves.

Cases across Africa are now well above 2,400. Forty-six of the continent's 54 countries have the virus with Mali, Libya and Guinea-Bissau the latest to confirm their first.

In western Kenya, riot police fired tear gas after traders resisted attempts to close a crowded market in Kisumu to help curb the virus' spread. The country has 25 cases and on Wednesday imposed a curfew, as did South Sudan.

“Our government keeps telling us to stay indoors yet we don't have money to eat,” said one trader in Kisumu, Joash Okoth Abute. “There are only a few people with money and many without money, so I am pleading with the government to ensure all Kenyans are secure. Help us.”

As cases rose to 68 in Ghana, some people debated imposing a lockdown. “What are we going to eat?” asked Ali Seidu, a driver in the capital, Accra. Civil servant Abraham Ofei disagreed: "If they do not do it early, by the time they decide it will be too late.”

Some African leaders scolded citizens for not adhering to prevention measures.

“Countrymen and women, I have gone 'round the city and I have seen for myself that many among us are not taking this COVID-19 seriously,” Zambian President Edgar Lungu said in Lusaka. “I have seen multitudes patronizing bars or freely hugging and shaking hands at funerals, contrary to health advice.” The country has 12 cases.

In Uganda, an eight-month-old baby was among the latest cases. That country barred public transport for two weeks. Eritrea barred all passenger flights for two weeks as its cases rose to four.

Sierra Leone declared a year-long state of emergency despite not having a case. And Congo closed its borders. The sprawling nation has one of Africa's weakest health systems and has been battling another global health emergency, an Ebola virus outbreak.

As more African countries impose restrictions on gatherings and travel, many informal workers suffer. Ethiopia's government in a proposal to the Group of 20 major industrialized nations has said Africa needs a $150 billion emergency financing package because “COVID-19 poses an existential threat to the economies of African countries.”

South Africa has an unemployment rate of 29% and the lockdown will hit workers hard. But authorities fear what will happen if the virus sweeps through crowded low-income communities and public transport.

Teeming prisons are another worry across Africa. Ethiopia's state broadcaster EBC cited the attorney general as saying more than 4,000 prisoners with minor offenses or children will be released.

African countries that have not recorded cases are Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Burundi, Malawi, Botswana, Comoros, Lesotho and Sao Tome and Principe, according to the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Some have the most fragile health systems on the continent.

For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death.

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Mogomotsi Magome in Johannesburg; Francis Kokutse in Accra, Ghana; Baba Ahmed in Bamako, Mali; Rodney Muhumuza in Kampala, Uganda; Elias Meseret in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and Noel Sichalwe in Lusaka, Zambia contributed.

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The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

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