Huge gatherings fuel spread of COVID-19 in Zambia

2021-01-06 14:06:27 GMT2021-01-06 22:06:27(Beijing Time) Xinhua English

LUSAKA, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- Zambia on Wednesday reported 850 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours, bringing the cumulative cases to 23,495 as the country continues to grapple with a surge in the second wave of the pandemic.

The cases were picked from 10,461 tests while five people died bringing the total deaths to 417.

Figures released by the health ministry further show that 146 patients were discharged during the same period bringing the total recoveries to 19,672.

Huge gatherings have been identified as the major cause behind the second wave of COVID-19 in the southern African nation.

Health authorities fear that the country's health system if cases continue surging and nothing is done to contain the spread of the virus.

Minister of Health Chitalu Chilufya said recently that the country is experiencing a new variant of the pandemic similar to the one in Europe and South Africa which is claiming many lives and spreading rapidly.

He said a common trend of person-to-person transmission of the virus has been observed from patients who may attend weddings, funerals or night spots.

According to investigations carried on patients admitted in COVID-19 facilities, most of them contracted the pandemic when attending a function that had a huge number of people.

Weddings, drinking and eating places as well as other functions that attract huge crowds have fueled the surge which has resulted in increased cases and fatalities since December last year.

Despite the country putting in place preventive health regulations such as banning huge gatherings, laxity seems to have crept in and poles have thrown caution to the wind.

Drinking places that were only allowed restrictive operating hours are now back in full swing resulting in the second wave of the pandemic.

A popular drinking and eating place in Lusaka, the country's capital, was recently closed after cases of COVID-19 were reported by people who visited the place.

Health authorities are concerned those places that attract huge gatherings are now becoming super-spreaders of the virus in the second wave.

Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary in Charge of Technical Services Kennedy Malama said recently that it was unfortunate that lack of adherence to preventive health guidelines has fueled the second wave of the pandemic and warned that the country is headed for a major health crisis if nothing is done to contain the pandemic.

Authorities have since moved in to contain the pandemic with increased surveillance measures and increased awareness of the need for people to observe health preventive guidelines.

President Edgar Lungu warned recently that the government will be forced to institute tough measures if people continue to disregard health guidelines.

The Zambian leader expressed concern over low compliance levels and reiterated that health measures instituted in the first wave of the pandemic are still in force.

But the health minister noted that the government is cautious of instituting measures such as locking down the economy but will ensure a balance between the health system and the economic development of the country.

Various government agencies have since embarked on measures to ensure enhanced compliance with the guidelines.

The country's road safety agency, the Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) has since heightened public health measures regarding public transportation.

Gladwell Banda, the agency's chief executive officer said the second wave of the pandemic poses a great challenge for the country's public transport system.

"Mass transportation vehicles such as buses have been identified as hotspots for the rapid spread of the COVID-19 virus. The traveling public is therefore advised to always put on face masks when using public transport. The proper use of masks can significantly reduce the probability of contagion," he said in a release.

The agency, he said, will be working with the police to ensure total compliance with the mandatory use of face masks in public transportation.

The local authority in Lusaka, the country's capital, has advised all markets not to attend to customers without face masks.

On the other hand, the local authority in Kitwe, the country's second-biggest city in the Copperbelt Province has banned all wedding ceremonies in efforts aimed at curbing the rising number of COVID-19. Enditem

| PRINT | RSS