Staff Reporter
Failure by most people in the Free State to observe non-pharmaceutical measures to limit the spread of COVID-19 could be the reason behind the spike in the number of cases recorded in the province, an official has said.
Provincial health department spokesperson Mondli Mvambi told The Free Stater that local health authorities are worried that people have dropped their guard and are no longer following the COVID-19 health protocols, especially at social gatherings.
“We believe the reason behind the recent increases is non-adherence to non-pharmaceutical interventions,” said Mvambi.
Also known as community mitigation strategies, non-pharmaceutical interventions are measures that people can take to help slow the spread of an illness.
Some of the measures recommended include washing hands regularly with soap for at least 20 seconds, sanitising hands regularly, wearing a mask at all times when out in the public, no shaking of hands or hugging when greeting and observing social distancing.
“. . . the coronavirus has no legs. It’s transmitted by people when they move around,” said Mvambi.
“So, it’s important to observe those non-pharmaceutical measures.”
“There’s no cure for the disease,” he added.
“The vaccine protects you from getting sick but you can still contract the virus.
“It’s important for people to follow the health protocols at all times.”
Between Wednesday and Thursday, the Free State recorded 620 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the cumulative total for the province to about 105 411 cases.
About 91 841 people have recovered from the disease while 4 503 have succumbed to it.
Mvambi said the province has not recorded any cases of COVID-19 emanating from church gatherings, which could suggest churches were doing the right thing.
He expressed concern at the conduct of people when at funerals, family gatherings or when out partying, saying in most cases, people did not practise proper hygiene.
The location of the province, according Mvambi, also plays a role in the prevalence of the disease.
“We are also affected by the middle of the country syndrome,” he said.
“The Free State is surrounded by six other provinces plus the kingdom of Lesotho.
“There are five national roads that pass through the province.
“This means the province is exposed to people from other parts of the province at all times.
“Some of those people actually stop by and mingle with us, before they proceed. It’s a very difficult situation.”
Mvambi said the economic situation in the province was also playing a role in that some parents were sending their kids to school even if they were not feeling well because there is no one to look after them after they go to work.
“The school plays a very important role because parents know their kids will be safe after they go to work,” he said.
“However, some just send their kids to school even if they are not too well because they have to work.
“The parents might not know it’s COVID-19 but it’s one of the things we are faced with.”
To date, the province has vaccinated about 75 000 people including healthcare workers and those aged over 60.
Mvambi said since the start of the vaccination drive, the number of healthcare workers contracting the virus and falling ill has dropped significantly.