COVID-19 was documented in *10* more nations last week, as coronavirus has now affected at least 172 out of 195 countries (88%) across the globe.
The greatest spread of the virus the week of Mar 22 to Mar 28 was again in Africa, with four more countries on the continent reporting infections. These four bring Africa’s total number to 47 out of 54 countries (87%).
In total, 745,308 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed worldwide as of Mar 30, 1900 UTC, along with 35,307 deaths. In the last five weeks, *145* nations have confirmed their first COVID-19 case:
- 27 countries confirmed first cases week of Feb 22 to Feb 28
- 36 countries confirmed first cases week of Feb 29 to Mar 6
- 36 countries confirmed first cases week of Mar 7 to Mar 13
- 36 countries confirmed first cases week of Mar 14 to Mar 21
- And the following *10* countries confirmed first cases last week (Mar 22 to Mar 28):
Belize 🇧🇿 (2 cases)
Belize confirmed its first case of coronavirus on Mar 24. CNN reported the patient was a 38-year-old female citizen who arrived from the United States on March 19.
Dominica 🇩🇲 (11 cases)
A 54-year-old Dominica national traveling from the United Kingdom was the first case of COVID-19 in the island nation of Dominica on Mar 22, DominicaNewsOnline reported.
Guinea-Bissau 🇬🇼 (2 cases)
The first two cases of coronavirus were reported in the West African nation of Guinea-Bissau on Mar 25. Reuters reported that the two cases were a Congolese UN employee and an Indian national.
Laos 🇱🇦 (8 cases)
Laos reported its first two cases of COVID-19 on Mar 24, US News & World Report said. The cases were a 28-year-old male hotel worker and a 36-year-old female tour guide, both in the capital Vientiane.
Libya 🇱🇾 (8 cases)
On Mar 24, the first case of coronavirus was reported in Libya, which is currently locked in a civil war. Time reported a 75-year-old male patient had arrived from Tunisia on Mar 5.
Mali 🇲🇱 (25 cases)
The first cases of COVID-19 were reported in Mali on Mar 25 and the nation planned to go ahead with its parliamentary elections despite a nationwide curfew imposed.
Mozambique 🇲🇿 (8 cases)
Mozambique reported its first case of coronavirus on Mar 22 in a 75-year-old national who had recently traveled from the United Kingdom, Reuters reported.
Myanmar / Burma 🇲🇲 (14 cases)
Myanmar’s first cases of COVID-19 were reported on Mar 22 in two nationals traveling from the United States and United Kingdom, Reuters reported.
Saint Kitts and Nevis 🇰🇳 (7 cases)
The dual-island nation of Saint Kitts and Nevis confirmed its first case of COVID-19 on Mar 25, becoming the final nation in the Americas to report coronavirus. The country’s prime minister said a 57-year-old woman and 21-year-old man had recently traveled to New York.
Syria 🇸🇾 (9 cases, 1 death)
Syria’s first case of COVID-19 was reported on Mar 22, but some believe that number to be much greater due to other infections in the region, including Iran, Axios reported. The country also reported its first death from the virus, in a female patient rushed for emergency care on Mar 30.
MS Zaandam (cruise ship) (2 cases)
A Dutch-flagged cruise ship the MS Zaandam reported two cases of COVID-19 onboard Mar 27. The ship is currently transiting the Panama Canal en route to Florida, where it hopes to dock, CNN reported. Four passengers on board have died, but these deaths have not been officially linked to coronavirus as of yet, CNN reported. An additional 189 people on board are suffering from flu-like symptoms.
Note: The ship’s cases are not attributed to any nation as of now.
