Madagascar to send troops and doctors to virus-hit eastern town

Madagascar's government has announced it will send troops and doctors to an eastern town after several bodies were found in the streets and where two people died from the novel coronavirus, according to a news report by Seychelles News Agency.

Madagascar's cabinet held a special meeting on Sunday to discuss the situation in Toamasina, the country's second-largest city.

Madagascar has registered 527 infections and two deaths, both in Toamasina.

Since Thursday, more than 120 new cases were confirmed, and several bodies were found in the city's streets though the cause of death was not clear.

Professor Hanta Marie Danielle Vololontiana, spokesperson for the government's virus task force said, "Doctors must carry out thorough examinations to see if these deaths are caused by another illness or if they are really due to severe acute respiratory problems which are the critical form of COVID-19." 

The government will send 150 soldiers to reinforce Toamasina, maintain order, and enforce measures against the coronavirus such as mask-wearing and social distancing.

The cabinet also fired Toamasina's prefect without providing any explanation.

A team was also ordered to distribute a drink based on Artemisia, a plant recognized as a treatment against malaria, which the Malagasy authorities claim cures COVID-19.

The potential benefits of this herbal tea, called 'Covid-Organics', have not been validated by any scientific study.

The cabinet has also announced an investigation into the death of a doctor in Toamasina. According to the local press, the victim was hospitalized after contracting COVID-19 and was found dead hanged in his room on Sunday morning.