THAT 110 people have contracted COVID-19 in Zambia after most citizens have almost forgotten about the lethal virus calls for concerted efforts not to drop the guard against the pandemic.
Although according to authorities the current coronavirus variants are not as virulent as the previous ones such as Delta or Alpha, we need to up our game and ensure that we prevent further spread of the virus.
According to Zambia National Public Health Institute infectious diseases specialist Nyuma Mbewe, three COVID-19 patients are currently on oxygen at University Teaching Hospitals.
Dr Mbewe told us yesterday that PACLOVID, the medicine that is used to treat patients of coronavirus, is available in various health facilities.
“As of this (yesterday) morning, we had about 10 admissions across the country, primarily at University Teaching Hospitals,” he shared.
“They have three in-patients who are all on oxygen and they have another two who are being followed up as out-patients. There are other cases in North-Western and a few others on the Copperbelt.”
While the coronavirus situation may not be so alarming compared to the cholera outbreak, it is incumbent upon every individual to take responsibility and ensure that we all play a role in preventing the spread of COVID-19.
We need to uphold the basic guidelines of preventing the spread of the virus to avoid a recurrence of the devastating situation the country experienced a few years ago when several people succumbed to coronavirus.
Currently, Zambia is grappling with the cholera outbreak, which is claiming people’s lives on a daily basis, and we cannot afford to find ourselves caught up in the web of two ravaging ailments.
This could be very costly to Government as it would be forced to channel the resources meant for other needy areas like financing free education and procuring medicines for malaria, HIV and tuberculosis to fighting coronavirus and cholera.
We all need to look back and embrace basic COVID-19 defensive measures such as wearing face masks in public places and avoiding joining gatherings.
Other coronavirus prevention actions include washing hands frequently and carefully with clean water and soap, or using hand sanitisers when one cannot wash their hands regularly.
Our health authorities have relentlessly been reminding us of avoiding handshakes and hugging and touching other people. This is because skin-to-skin contact can transmit the virus from one person to another.
There is also need for people to take physical or social distancing seriously, which also entails staying at home and working remotely when possible.
If you must go out for necessities, keep a distance of at least two metres from other people. You can transmit the virus by speaking to someone in close contact with you.
The resurgence of coronavirus cases is not unique to Zambia. Many countries worldwide are experiencing rising cases of COVID-19.
Globally, the number of new cases increased by four percent during the 28-day period of December 11, 2023 to January 7, 2024 as compared to the previous 28-day period, with over 1.1 million new cases.
As of January 7, 2024, there were over 774 million confirmed cases and at least seven million deaths reported.
It is, therefore, important for every patriotic citizen of this country to take responsibility and see to it that they prevent the spread of COVID-19 and help save lives.
Let’s guard against COVID
THAT 110 people have contracted COVID-19 in Zambia after most citizens have almost forgotten about the lethal virus calls for concerted efforts not to drop the guard against the pandemic.
Although according to authorities the current coronavirus variants are not as virulent as the previous ones such as Delta or Alpha, we need to up our game and ensure that we prevent further spread of the virus.
According to Zambia National Public Health Institute infectious diseases specialist Nyuma Mbewe, three COVID-19 patients are currently on oxygen at University Teaching Hospitals.
Dr Mbewe told us yesterday that PACLOVID, the medicine that is used to treat patients of coronavirus, is available in various health facilities.
“As of this (yesterday) morning, we had about 10 admissions across the country, primarily at University Teaching Hospitals,” he shared.
“They have three in-patients who are all on oxygen and they have another two who are being followed up as out-patients. There are other cases in North-Western and a few others on the Copperbelt.”
While the coronavirus situation may not be so alarming compared to the cholera outbreak, it is incumbent upon every individual to take responsibility and ensure that we all play a role in preventing the spread of COVID-19.
We need to uphold the basic guidelines of preventing the spread of the virus to avoid a recurrence of the devastating situation the country experienced a few years ago when several people succumbed to coronavirus.
Currently, Zambia is grappling with the cholera outbreak, which is claiming people’s lives on a daily basis, and we cannot afford to find ourselves caught up in the web of two ravaging ailments.
This could be very costly to Government as it would be forced to channel the resources meant for other needy areas like financing free education and procuring medicines for malaria, HIV and tuberculosis to fighting coronavirus and cholera.
We all need to look back and embrace basic COVID-19 defensive measures such as wearing face masks in public places and avoiding joining gatherings.
Other coronavirus prevention actions include washing hands frequently and carefully with clean water and soap, or using hand sanitisers when one cannot wash their hands regularly.
Our health authorities have relentlessly been reminding us of avoiding handshakes and hugging and touching other people. This is because skin-to-skin contact can transmit the virus from one person to another.
There is also need for people to take physical or social distancing seriously, which also entails staying at home and working remotely when possible.
If you must go out for necessities, keep a distance of at least two metres from other people. You can transmit the virus by speaking to someone in close contact with you.
The resurgence of coronavirus cases is not unique to Zambia. Many countries worldwide are experiencing rising cases of COVID-19.
Globally, the number of new cases increased by four percent during the 28-day period of December 11, 2023 to January 7, 2024 as compared to the previous 28-day period, with over 1.1 million new cases.
As of January 7, 2024, there were over 774 million confirmed cases and at least seven million deaths reported.
It is, therefore, important for every patriotic citizen of this country to take responsibility and see to it that they prevent the spread of COVID-19 and help save lives.