BY MBONO MDLULI
People living in this country should not panic, as COVID-19 is still under control.
This was said by Minister of Health Mduduzi Matsebula, through a statement he issued today. Matsebula gave this update, following reports that there are reported cases of influenza-like illnesses and confirmed COVID-19 cases in SADC countries such as Botswana and Namibia.
Matsebula said his Ministry was concerned about the reported cases in these countries, which have now recommended the use of masks for their populations. “While this situation persists in the SADC countries, Government informs the nation that influenza-like illnesses and COVID-19 are being monitored in the country,” Matsebula said.
Elaborating on the matter, Matsebula highlighted that over the past week, there were 4 524 cases of influenza-like illnesses reported, which translated to 22.5 percent increase in numbers, compared to the previous week. COVID-19 cases, according to Matsebula, were reported to be five over the past four week, which was not a cause for alarm.
Matsebula went on to state that the country’s health workers continued to offer COVID-19 testing at health facilties for those who presented COVID-19-like cases. He said the Public Health Emergency Management Core Team monitored the trends of reported influenza-like illnesses and COVID-19 cases weekly.
According to the Minister, the Ministry of Health’s public health threats monitoring system comprised surveillance systems and the Immediate Disease Notification Systems that were reported daily and aggregated weekly. He assured the nation that it would be informed when the situation changed, in order to minimise negative impacts from these public health negative threats.
The Minister urged the nation to use face masks whenever they experienced flu-like symptoms and test for COVID-19 if the situation worsened. He said what was important was that in order to prevent diseases, the nation should always stay clean and wash hands regularly, using soap and water and use hand sanitisers. He urged the nation to be alert and take precautionary measures when travelling countries affected by COVID-19.
