Gov’t revives COVID-19 prevention measures as cases detected abroad.

The statement from the government official, comes after the holding of a meeting of the Strategic Council for the management of public health emergencies in Yaounde on June 28.

According to the minister’s release, the decision seeks to respond to the recent resurgence of COVID-19 cases that was recently reported by authorities in several Western and African countries.

The alert came at a time several Cameroonians who traveled for the Hajj in Saudi Arabia were returning home. Minister Manaouda said the pilgrims had all been screened and there was no case of COVID-19.

“Upon examination of all the results of the tests carried out both at our points of entry and in our health facilities throughout the country, no positive case of COVID-19 was notified, as well as among the 645 pilgrims who returned from Hajj 2024 by the screening system put in place,” the minister said. 

The member of government insisted that the measures in place are aimed at preventing the resurfacing of the various in the country at all cost.

He has enjoined the population or visitors entering the country, to go through the various checks at the level of the airports and borders.

Government, the minister disclosed, is working to “prevent and control a potential outbreak” of the pandemic in the country.

Dr Manaouda equally called on the population to increase vigilance by practicing all the barrier measures which were in place when the disease existed in the country.

He mentioned the systematic mask-wearing in case of flu symptoms, practicing social distancing, washing of hands regularly with soap and running water, and regular disinfection of common areas to reduce contamination risks.

Dr Manaouda advised the population to remain calm and above all not give in to misinformation on social media platforms.

He warned that health professionals who go about using the COVID-19 to exploit the population, will be punished accordingly.

The Public Health minister says the population can access the toll-free number, 1510 put in place by government, in case of any worry or if they are in need of any additional information.

He has reassured of the robust nature of the health system, adding that it is well-organised to manage any possible resurgence of COVID-19 cases in the country.

This story was first published in The Guardian Post issue N0:3155 of Monday July 01, 2024