By Dr Masimba Mavaza
The Zimbabwean Government is extremely worried with the growing trend of people flouting Covid-19 pandemic lockdown regulations amid growing calls for their tightening as figures mainly in the Matabeleland region continue to surge.
Matabeleland region has seen a 62 percent of new cases recorded in the country in the past thirty two days.
The Bulawayo provincial Covid-19 taskforce recommended that the city goes back to either complete lockdown or suburb specific lockdown as officials try to quickly combat the continued increase in the number of Covid-19 cases in the city. During the weekly Covid-19 update on Friday, the Chief Co-ordinator of the national response to the Covid-19 pandemic in the Office of the President and Cabinet, Dr Agnes Mahomva said it was worrying that the public was acting as if the lockdown had been lifted. Bulawayo has witnessed general complacency in adhering to the lockdown regulations which is now hampering the country’s efforts in containing the pandemic.
“Lockdown orders are very much still in place, however, people are just not adhering to them. Government is therefore working to strengthen enforcement and urges the public to do its part by adhering to all existing lockdown orders including all other recommended public health and social measures. It is unfortunate that many people are of the impression that the country is no longer under lockdown, which is not true. The lockdown order is still there, public bars, nightclubs, house parties, beerhalls, casinos, movie theatres and betting houses are still not permitted to operate,” said Dr Mahomva.
She said even though a number of relaxations have been made since the lockdown was declared on 30 March, there was a need to realise that the main principles of the lockdown and the curfew were still in place.
Meanwhile, Dr Mahomva revealed that the rising figures in the Matabeleland region was worrying noting that there was a need for health officials and lockdown enforcement agents work together to effectively contain the pandemic.
“In the past 30 days, we have had 730 new cases of which 260 are from Bulawayo, this translating to 36 percent of the cases, 99 (14 percent) are from Matabeleland North and 95 (13 percent) are from Matabeleland South. This means in the past 30 days; 62 percent of the recorded cases are from the Matabeleland region.
“In terms of deaths in the past 30 days, the country recorded 26 deaths of which 19 are from Bulawayo, which translates to 73 percent. This is honestly a worrying trend and shows us the need to strictly adhere to the lockdown regulations so that we manage to contain the spread of the pandemic in the country,” she said.
Last week, police also warned members of the public that that the country was still under Covid-19 lockdown measures which include a curfew which runs from 2200 hours till 0600 hours the following day and that enforcement of health, safety and security measures was still paramount.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police reminds the public that gatherings allowed by the Government should strictly observe and comply with the requirement of 100 or less people at church gatherings, 50 or less people at funerals, low risk sports and sports clubs. Let us take note that weddings, birthday, house parties, political and other social gatherings which include musical shows and concerts are still banned.
Church leaders are warned against hosting or convening all night prayers. It is also clear that night clubs, bars, beer-halls and casinos are not allowed to operate under these Covid-19 safety measures,” reads part of the statement.
Speaking to a number of people Zim24/7 has discovered that people have put their guards down. Most of people interviewed believe that COVID – 19 is a sort of a holiday which comes to an end at a certain period. This mentality is putting the whole nation in serious danger with COVID 19.
Although for most people COVID-19 causes only mild illness, it can make some people very ill. More rarely, the disease can be fatal. Older people, and those with pre- existing medical conditions (such as high blood pressure, heart problems or diabetes) appear to be more vulnerable. People have to keep safe and follow the laid down guidelines. Accumulating data on deaths from covid-19 show an association with age that closely matches the “normal” risk we all face.
As covid-19 turns from a societal threat into a matter of risk management, it is vital that the associated risks are understood and clearly communicated.But these risks vary hugely between people, and so finding appropriate analogues is a challenge. Although covid-19 is a complex multisystem disease that can cause prolonged illness, we must focus solely on the risks of dying from covid-19 and explore the use of “normal” risk—the risk of death from all causes each year—as an aid to transparent communication.
The population fatality rate tells us the proportion of the total population getting infected and then dying with covid-19 over a specified time.
Unfortunately Zimbabwe has not embarked on wide testing this gives people a false hope that there is no COVID 19.
The Zimbabwean government has done well in containing and controlling the pandemic.
The minister of Health cde Chiwenga who is the vice President of Zimbabwe together with his team has worked flat out in fighting the COVID pandemic. Millions of dollars have been channelled to the fight against COVID19. The sad thing is that people are now relaxed and they do not see that COVID 19 is real and killing.
Vazet2000@yahoo.co.uk
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