AfricaPress-Tanzania: THE government in Mbeya Region has admitted having Covid-19 patients receiving treatment at various centres set aside for the purpose, while appealing to the people to take precautionary measures to protect themselves as advised by health experts.
Regional Commissioner Juma Homera told reporters yesterday that strategies by the region against the pandemic were being drawn up, but declined to issue data on the number of cases, saying he needs authorisation on the matter.
Issuing statistics on Covid-19 patients is preferably the work of the Minister for Health, Community Development, Gender, Elders and Children, the Prime Minister or the President, he stated.
Due to the rising infections, district commissioners in collaboration with local council health committees need to provide education to the people on how to protect themselves against the disease, he asserted.
He appealed to concerned officials to work together with stakeholders to come up with strategies to fight the pandemic so that it does not spread.
He said the region has identified several strategies including calling on the people to frequently wash their hands using soap and running water, avoiding unnecessary gatherings and wearing face masks.
He also directed that all students in the region begin wearing face masks when at school except those under eight years of age, with other guidelines expected on other procedures.
“We have also directed all passenger transport vehicles to carry passengers at seat level, and they should wear face masks.
“In addition we have directed that all bus stops should have hand washing facilities,” he stated.
All people in places with gatherings including bars and houses of worship must wear face masks, with hand washing facilities outside, and they also must observe distancing when seated.
Anyone who feels he has Covid-19 symptoms has to immediately visit the nearest health centre for treatment, he urged.
Various centres have been set aside for treatment of Covid-19 patients including Mbeya Zonal Referral Hospital and district facilities, he added.
