BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI
Zimbabwe’s senior doctors have called for vigilance as the country braces for the fourth wave of the Covid-19 outbreak driven by the newly discovered Omicron variant.
The Omicron variant was first detected in South Africa and Botswana causing panic throughout the world.
Western countries last week banned travel from southern Africa, including Zimbabwe, citing the emergence of the variant.
On Friday, Health and Child Care deputy minister John Mangwiro said Zimbabwe had reported 50 cases of the Omicron variant.
The Zimbabwe College of Public Health Physicians (ZCPHP) said citizens must strictly adhere to World Health Organisation (WHO) to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
In a press statement, ZCPHP, an association of specialist public health doctors, said the surge in cases in the past few days was a cause for concern.
ZCPHP said the trends pointed an imminent fourth wave of the Covid-19 outbreak “with a high probability of the presence of the new Covid-19 variant, Omicron.”
“All citizens to double up physical distancing, masking, and hand hygiene,” ZCPHP said, adding that such measures will require a concerted effort by every individual, household and community.
“Get vaccinated urgently against Covid-19, vaccines save lives.”
ZCPHP also urged Zimbabweans to avoid or reduce non-essential travel and visits, to minimize interactions with people from other households.
“Avoid or minimize time spent in crowded ‘situations’ and areas, including family, funeral, religious and recreational gatherings, especially if these functions do not take place outdoors,” it said.
“If you must be in crowded places, always maintain at least one-meter physical distance and wear your mask covering your mouth and nose all the time.
“When you or your household member develop symptoms of Covid-19, isolate yourself, get tested as early as possible and seek medical care from a qualified healthcare provider as soon as possible.”
It encouraged healthcare practitioners to increase the level of clinical suspicion/presumption of Covid-19, and look out for patients who are potentially sick with Covid-19.
“Offer immediate Covid-19 testing, isolation, treatment and care services,” the ZCPH said.
“Facilitate closer monitoring of patients having Covid-19 who are likely to suffer severe disease, especially the elderly, those with underlying medical conditions and those who are not yet vaccinated.”
“Ensure that your own health is protected by following Covid-19 infection prevention and control measures all the time, get tested when not well or when exposed to a person with Covid-19 and seek care from other health professionals when not well.”