TWO Hundred and eighty two deaths related to Covid- 19 is 282 deaths too many.
The deadly coronavirus made its presence known to Zambia in March 2020 and the first fatality was attributed to co-morbidity.
A man of Kafue, living on his own with a history of hypertension.
This pandemic has forced many ordinary citizens to learn more about medical terms as the world continues to grapple with this ever evolvingpandemic.
The virus was first known to have hit the city of Wuhan in China hardsand then quickly begun to kill in Europe and then the Americas – with the expectation that Africa would drown under the burden of the pandemic.
While, Africa as a continent has not seen as many deaths as a result of Covid-19, many people have died and many others still require intensive medical interventions for them to recover.
The virus that causes COVID-19 is mainly transmitted through droplets generated when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or exhales. These droplets are too heavy to hang in the air, and quickly fall on floors or surfaces.
You can be infected by breathing in the virus if you are within close proximity of someone who has COVID-19, or by touching a contaminated surface and then your eyes, nose or mouth.
Government in its bid to keep the general population protected from Covid-19 have ordered mandatory wearing of masks while in public and even embarked on wholesale mask production to ensure this protective wear is readily available.
Alas, many people still do not comply.
The partial lock-down has seen many public places limiting the numbers of people present – including health facilities.
This may explain why many people shun medical attention until it is too late.
Minister of Health Dr Chitalu Chilufya raised the alarm regarding the rising numbers of Brought in Dead (BID) positive Covid-19 cases.
The ideal would be that once a person begins to display the symptoms of Covid-19 – they would visit a health facility to access the medical attention.
COVID-19 affects different people in different ways. Most infected people will develop mild to moderate illness and recover without hospitalization.
According to the World Health Organisation the most common Covid-19 symptoms: fever, dry cough and tiredness.
The less common symptoms are aches and pains, sore throat, diarrhoea, conjunctivitis, headache, loss of taste or smell, a rash on skin, or discolouration of fingers or toes
The more serious symptoms are difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, chest pain or pressure, loss of speech or movement.
People with mild symptoms who are otherwise healthy can manage their symptoms at home but if they have severe symptoms they must seek medical intervention.
On average it takes 5 – 6 days from when someone is infected with the virus for symptoms to show, however it can take up to 14 days.
The most recent fatality was recorded from a 46-year-old man who had a history of hypertension but then saw diabetes play a part in his eventual demise.
Covid-19 treatment requires active medical intervention when serious and it has placed a huge strain on the front line staff who work tirelessly to keep patients alive.
Let us do our part in ensuring the end of Covid-19 by observing Covid-19 public health guidelines and being diligent enough to ensure timely access to medical services for serious cases.
We should not be complacent and neither should we play the blame game.
Covid-19 tests may be in low supply and results may delay but with the knowledge that we do have about Covid-19, we should take it upon ourselves to do what it takes to avoid Covid-19 fatalities.
Covid-19 has not finished in Zambia, it is very much with us and fatalities are there for all to see.
We must end the spread of Covid-19!
