VICE President Dr Constantino Chiwenga yesterday warned of the possibility of the country being hit by a second wave of Covid-19 saying ignorance, denial and wishful thinking could lead to more deaths.
America, Britain and other Western countries have started
recording a second wave of Covid-19 at a time when the pandemic’s global death
toll has surpassed 1,2 million, with 50 million people infected. Experts fear
that second waves of the infection could be more devastating than the first.
Dr Chiwenga who is also the Minister of Health and Child
Care expressed concern that many people are no longer adhering to prevention
measures at a time when the world is staring at the threat of a second wave of
Covid-19.
The Vice President was speaking in Bulawayo’s Makokoba
suburb during the launch of a Covid-19 cycling campaign and health expo
organised by Industry and Commerce Deputy Minister Raj Modi.
Twelve cyclists will embark on a six-day Covid-19 sensitisation
cycling from Bulawayo today and pass through Gweru, Kwekwe, Kadoma, Chegutu,
Harare before completing their journey in Chitungwiza next Friday.
The health expo provided residents with free diabetes
tests, blood pressure checks, eye screening and family planning services.
Vice President Chiwenga said the pandemic has adversely
affected socio-economic development and requires collective efforts to combat
it as it can kill.
“The worrying trend emerging in America and Europe, where a
second wave of the pandemic was feared, serves as a warning for African
countries and particularly so Zimbabwe, to maintain the prevailing
anti-Covid-19 measures,” said Dr Chiwenga.
He said while the national taskforce and frontline workers
were educating the public on the threats posed by the pandemic, worryingly
communities are no longer heeding their calls.
“Despite the manageable casualty toll to date by Zimbabwe,
the persistence and progression of the threat require our citizenry to remain
alert. It is unfortunate though, that some of the people, in their own wisdom,
decided to engage a relaxed mode. It has become a common feature to catch sight
of some of our brothers and sisters disregarding wearing of masks. If they wear
them at all, most of them are left sagging like a necklace.
Scientists have said the virus targets easily those with a
weaker health system, but I say it preys on more ignorance, denial and wishful
thinking,” he said.
“I have also noticed that some of our citizens no longer
respect the observance of the one metre social distancing; let alone the upkeep
of hygiene and sanitation by simply washing our hands with soap and running
water and utilisation of sanitizers.”
The VP acknowledged that the Bulawayo water crisis has
become a hindrance in fighting Covid-19 and said Government was doing
everything in its power to address the water shortage.
Turning to the campaign by the cyclists, Vice President
Chiwenga said it should serve as a warning to communities that Covid-19 remains
a threat which can kill.
He said the health expo was in line with Government’s
thrust to provide efficient and effective health care to all citizens at
affordable cost.
Bulawayo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Judith
Ncube said residents should follow regulations meant to protect them against
Covid-19. She said communities should
not expose themselves to Covid-19 by not wearing masks.
“A lot of people Honourable Vice President only want to put
on their masks when they come across police officers.
When we say people should put on their masks, they should
know that it is for their own protection. Right now, Bulawayo has been
worryingly recording an increase in Covid-19 deaths. From October most of the
Covid-19 deaths that were recorded in the country were received in Bulawayo,”
said Minister Ncube.
During the event, Deputy Minister Modi donated groceries to
Mpilo Central Hospital, United Bulawayo Hospitals, Ingutsheni Central Hospital
each worth $250 000 for the institutions’ canteens for frontline workers.
He also donated groceries worth $100 000 for eight
institutions that take care of vulnerable citizens including Emthunzini
Wethemba and Ekuphumuleni.
To empower the youth, the Deputy Minister handed over 20
Pepsi push carts for 20 youths as a means of capacitating them to withstand
economic shocks through selling Pepsi products.
The event was attended by senior Government officials,
residents, cyclists and various health service providers. Chronicle
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