Cameroon: Government Steps Up Fight Against COVID-19 As Cases Soar

As Cameroon prepares to receive its first doses of the British AstraZeneca vaccine, under the COVAX initiative, the Prime Minister Head of government has admitted that efforts to curb infections are far from being effective.

Chief Dr Joseph Dion Ngute in a press conference on March 5th 2021 said safety measures against the coronavirus pandemic have been neglected.

“The measures are disregarded, the rule of social distance not respected, many do not wear masks while some continue to think that COVID-19 is an invention. This disease is real,” stressed the PM.

While advancing latest figures, Dion Ngute revealed that: “in the space of one week, more than three thousand people were tested positive in Cameroon and 37 people died within one week.”

Measures reinforced

Cameroon has recorded 35.714 COVID cases with over 550 deaths.

The last time the country went into a lockdown was in the early parts of 2020 when the first cases were detected.

The government now believes that there is need to tighten restrictions amid reports that there will be school closures until the disease is contained.

Let's protect ourselves, protect our loved ones and protect others against this virus which has become more aggressive and is circulating even faster. We suspect the South African strain and due diligence is underway for more information. The key word here is self-discipline.

— Dr MANAOUDA MALACHIE (@DrManaouda) March 6, 2021

“Measures were taken on 17 March 2020 remain in force…no gathering of more than 50 people, working remotely is encouraged, suspension of missions abroad for members of government-enforced, public and Para public agents, systematic wearing of masks in all public place is now compulsory,” announced the government during last night’s press conference.

Free For All Vaccines

Health care workers with a high risk of exposure to COVID-19 will be vaccinated first, says Dr Manaouda Malachie, Cameroon’s Minister of public health.

“Priority will be given to health workers. Let’s protect ourselves,”

Dr Malachie wrote on Twitter today.

Cameroon, after some formalities made possible by the Head of State, will receive in 2 weeks, its first doses of the British AstraZeneca vaccine, under the COVAX facility. Priority will naturally be given to health workers. Let's protect ourselves !

— Dr MANAOUDA MALACHIE (@DrManaouda) March 6, 2021

On the advice of the Scientific Council and NITAG, the priority targets for vaccination against Covid will be: health workers, people over 50 years old with comorbidity and existing conditions, vulnerable people, teachers, special groups and the general public.

— Dr MANAOUDA MALACHIE (@DrManaouda) March 6, 2021

He added that the vaccines will be administered “Free of charge for all… the vaccination is not compulsory. It will be on the basis of formal acceptance.”

There are two important things to note about vaccination against Covid-19:

1. the vaccine is free for all according to the different levels of priority;

2. the vaccination is not compulsory. It will be on the basis of a formal acceptance.

— Dr MANAOUDA MALACHIE (@DrManaouda) March 6, 2021

Mimi Mefo T.