On this edition of Africa 54, Several countries lowly take steps to relax lockdown orders imposed to control the spread of COVID-19; Tunisia and Zimbabwe extend their COVID-19 lockdowns, with Zimbabwe allowing mines and factories to reopen; Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari’s chief of staff, Abba Kyari, dies COVID-19; South Africa’s 21-day COVID-19 lockdown presents an unusual challenge for a nation with the world's highest burden of HIV; United Nations Economic Commission for Africa says at least 300,000 Africans are expected to die due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

A54 Health: The outbreak of the coronavirus is affecting people worldwide with no distinction of race, color or social status. However, experts say the poor, people with disabilities and other vulnerable groups, can be disproportionately harmed. VOA health correspondent Linord Moudou spoke via Skype with Melinda Gates, co-founder of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, to discuss how the foundation is contributing to the global fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Melinda Gates says addressing the needs of vulnerable population is a priority.