1st teacher dies of COVID-19

Mbabane: The Kingdom of Eswatini has recorded the first teacher to die of COVID-19, taking the death toll to 24.

The newly confirmed COVID-19 related death was a 53-year-old teacher from Mdzimba High School. He was confirmed positive of the COVID-19 disease on July 10, and he was admitted at the Lubombo Referral Hospital, where he eventually passed away on July 21.

In the daily reports, the Minister of Health Lizzie Nkosi said the deceased presented severe COVID-19 symptoms, where upon arrival at the hospital he was put on ventilator (device that pumps air—usually with extra oxygen—into patients’ airways when they are unable to breathe adequately on their own) to assist him breathe, unfortunately his condition did not improve until he died.

Swaziland National Association of Teachers Secretary General Sikelela Dlamini told Independent News that the late teacher was the very same teacher who was reported to have contacted the rapid response services (977) but unfortunately he could not be assisted as he was told that there were no ambulances available to pick him up. He then called upon his colleague who drove him to the hospital on his private car.

Dlamini lamented the poor handling of COVID-19 situation by government, more especially at schools as there are a lot of people involved in that sector which include learners. Dlamini said he wishes that the situation be handled with vigilance more especially at schools for the safety of the teachers and scholars.

When sought for comment, Minister of Health Lizzie said she did not have much information on the matter as yet as she was still at Cabinet virtual meeting at the time of compiling this report.

On another note, on the daily reports Nkosi announced 68 new COVID-19 cases, which brings the total to 1894. Nkosi said there were also 5 new recoveries reported on Tuesday, bringing the total number of recoveries to 855 and the number of active cases now standing at 947.

Manzini remains the epicenter of the pandemic in the country as 929 cases comes from the region, followed by Hhohho rwith 678 cases, Shiselweni region has recorded 155 cases and Lubombo has recorded 132 cases.