Mbabane: Eswatini has recorded its highest daily coronavirus death toll since the start of the pandemic as new cases continue to surge.
On New Year’s Eve, the country broke its record of COVID-19 deaths by registering 21 new COVID-19 deaths, taking the total number of COVID-19 deaths in the country to 205.
The Minister of Health Lizzie Nkosi reported that this highest number of deaths comprised of 10 males and 11 females. 10 of this deaths were recorded from Manzini region while 11 were recorded from Hhohho Region. 13 of the deaths had existing comorbidities.
On another note, the number of new confirmed cases had also increased as a total of 212 new confirmed cases were reported, taking the total number of confirmed cases in Eswatini to 9 358.
The Minister reminded all EmaSwati to stay strong and fight COVID-19 by strictly adhering to all precautionary measures:
1. Wear a mask consistently and correctly. This protects others from getting infected, which eventually protects you as an individual.
2. Wash your hands with soap and running water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer to clean your hands. Keeping the hands clean is essential because hands carrying the coronavirus easily transmit the virus into the body when you touch your eyes, nose or mouth.
3. Watch your distance by making sure that you keep at least 1 metre away from another person. The greater the distance, the less the chances of getting infected by an infectious person.
4. Avoid the “Three Cs”:
a. Closed spaces with poor ventilation,
b. Crowded places with many people near each other and
c. Close-contact settings such as close-range conversations.
A combination of these 3 Cs, results in a high transmission of the virus.
5. Opt for the outdoors, this is always better than indoors. Should there be a need to hold a function, it should be in line with COVID-19 regulations.
Those with symptoms such as fever, cough and difficulty breathing should seek medical attention immediately at their nearest health facility.
Isolation of those confirmed with COVID-19 infection is key to stopping further transmission of the virus. Stay home and self-isolate once you have been swabbed, especially if you have symptoms of flu such as cough, headache, mild fever, until you recover.
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