HEALTH experts have urged companies to decongest workplaces
further and reiterated the need for people to be extra vigilant in order to
curb the spread of Covid-19 as the nation approaches the 5 000 mark.
Experts fear the worst case scenario in terms of infections
and deaths could be next month due to the multiplier effect.
Zimbabwe had by Tuesday recorded 4 818 Covid-19 cases and
104 deaths.
Local Covid-19 transmissions have risen alarmingly during
the past few weeks and now account for more than 70 percent of the total
confirmed cases and the situation is even worse in Bulawayo where more than 90
percent of the cases are local transmissions.
The manifestation of Covid-19 has been changing since the
country recorded its first case on March 20. During the first few weeks, most
cases were of people with travel history and as such were imported cases as
opposed to local transmissions.
The scenario later changed and infections were now
concentrated at quarantine centres accommodating returning residents mainly
from South Africa, Botswana and Mozambique.
Mpilo Central Hospital Acting Chief Executive Officer Professor
Solwayo Ngwenya warned that more cases were likely to be reported in the next
few weeks and said he feared the figures could double what has so far been
recorded.
He said there was an urgent need for people to change their
behaviour and strictly adhere to Covid-19 regulations to avoid exposure to
infection.
Prof Ngwenya urged companies to ensure that more employees
work remotely so as to decongest workplaces.
“Yes, we are just about to reach 5 000 cases in terms of
infections, however, the worst is yet to come. It has taken the country almost
five months to reach 5 000 cases but it could take just a month to double the
figure due to the multiplier effect. The cases will multiply and multiply and
more will die. Much more than we are seeing now,” he said.
Workplaces have become hotspots for Covid-19 transmissions
with companies such as Cimas, Zimra, ZBC and some banks temporarily closing
premises after employees tested positive to Covid-19.
Some companies have since closed workstations and their
employees are working from home.
Experts say workers expose themselves to the virus by
sharing phones, computer keyboards, canteen utensils, using public transport
and failure to mantain social distance hence the call for more workers to work
from home.
Zimbabwe Medical Association (Zima) President Dr Francis
Chiwora yesterday said at 5 000 cases, the country would not have reached the
peak of the pandemic hence the need for people to continue taking measures to
minimise the spread of the virus.
“We are worried about the rising numbers and what is
disturbing is that most cases are now as a result of local transmissions. We
have not reached the peak yet so we need to continue taking measures to prevent
exposure to the virus,” said Dr Chiwora.
He said people should avoid gatherings especially in
enclosed areas such as buildings. Chronicle
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