2nd wave Covid-19 Strain Is Deadlier Than Before!
The country is in the grip of a second wave of a highly contagious and virulent coronavirus, which is “highly likely” to have been imported.
Infections and fatalities have been rising exponentially, particularly during the festive season, after having successfully managed the virus in September and October.
Tuesday was by far the deadliest day since the country reported its first fatality — broadcaster Zororo Makamba who died on March 23 last year — as 34 people died, while inflections rose by a record 1 365.
Health experts say the recent spike in cases shows the country is in the throes of the second wave of the virus.
“When you have a pandemic or an epidemic, figures need to be monitored daily, weekly and monthly. Graphs should be drawn for easy monitoring of the virus’ infection patterns.
Progressively, when the figures reach or exceed the previous peak, it becomes a second wave,” explained Dr Agnes Mahomva, who is the Chief Co-ordinator of the national response to the Covid-19 pandemic in the Office of the President and Cabinet.
“Not only has the number reached that of the first peak, but we have surpassed it by far. During the festive season, we saw the total number of cases in a week being the highest we ever received in a fortnight since the beginning (of the outbreak) in March . . .
“With figures increasing daily, we concluded that this could be something new, hence we saw the need to undertake a study, which will give us a clear picture of what exactly we are fighting.
“Results will determine the best possible ways to fight the spread,” she said. SundayMail
