Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. (Photo: Agencies)

ADDIS ABABA -- Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Wednesday declared a state of emergency to stop the spread of COVID-19 in the east African country.

Ethiopia has so far reported 52 confirmed cases, including that of a nine-month-old baby.

On Sunday, Ethiopia reported its first two COVID-19 deaths, a 60-year-old woman and 56-year-old man.