Tanzania's prime minister, Kassim Majaliwa, on Friday refuted rumors circulating for almost a week now that President John Magufuli is ill, saying he is "healthy and continuing with his duties as usual." Majaliwa, who spoke during the Islamic Friday prayer in southern Tanzania, urged Tanzanians to ignore reports that their leader was ill. Majaliwa said he had spoken with Magufuli by phone and assured Tanzanians that he is well. Various international media outlets have reported on Magufuli's public absence and his reported transfer to a hospital outside the country. Tanzania’s government has not publicly reported cases of COVID-19 infection since May 2020, when it recorded 509 infections and 21 deaths among the East African country of 60 million people.

Source: Ethiopian News March 12, 2021 17:15 UTC