Mbabane: Eswatini’s COVID-19 resurgence is getting worse as cases and fatalities continue to climb.
The ministry of health on Thursday reported a total number of 164 new cases bring the total number of confirmed cases to 8 032 along with one (1) new death pushing the number of deaths to 154.
According to the daily updates by the Ministry, the deceased is a 60 year old female from Lubombo Region, who died while undergoing treatment for COVID-19 related illness in one of the health facilities.
The statistics given by the ministry indicates that the number of active cases has rapidly increased to 762 as 6 952 people have recovered from the coronavirus.
Manzini Region remains the most hit region with a total of 3 558 confirmed cases, followed by Hhohho region with 3 161 cases. Lubombo and Shiselweni regions have recorded 718 and 595 cases respectively.
Minister of Health Lizzie Nkosi said the COVID-19 epidemic curve is showing an increase. She said until a definitive treatment or vaccine for COVID-19 is found, the country cannot afford complacency. She said the nation’s goal is to continue to halt the spread of COVID-19 and reduce deaths associated with it, and achieving that goal calls for collective effort.
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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