Mozambique: Number of Covid-19 cases soars in Inhambane

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Mozambique: Number of Covid-19 cases soars in Inhambane

3:37 CAT | 13 Jan 2021

Photo: DW

Disregard for preventive measures are at the root of soaring coronavirus cases in Inhambane province, southern Mozambique. Authorities say they are concerned, and are battling to reinforce community awareness.

People crowding onto beaches, not wearing masks and insufficient hand washing are cited as the main causes of the massive increase in Covid-19 cases in Inhambane province, Mozambique.

Earlier in the year, the province’s health sector tested around 1,000 citizens, with half the samples returning a positive result.

Sónia Maesso, from the Council of the Secretariat and State Representation in Inhambane, calls the disregard for preventative measures “worrying”, calling for more awareness and extra care.

“About 220 new cases in the first week of this month alone is a scenario that really worries us at the moment. What we see is that people are not wearing masks, behaviour we do not condone,” she said.

Families suffer because of Covid-19

Many Inhambane residents have lost their jobs because of the Covid-19 pandemic, with many more sent home to fulfil quarantine requirements. Work has come to a halt, and many everyday products are lacking, especially in the rural areas. As a result, many people are migrating to the towns and cities.

Domestic tourism blamed

Inhambane resident Tofane Abibo says that the increase in coronavirus cases is the result of domestic tourism during the holidays, with visitors from the capital, Maputo – the area of the country with the highest number of cases – pouring into the province.

“In Mozambique, the coronavirus is mainly centred on Maputo, from where came many people attracted by our beaches, which is the reason for this rampant increase. The government does nothing about beaches, bars and gatherings,” she summarises.

Individual responsibility

Jossias Moiane, a shoemaker in Maxixe, told DW that most people believe Covid-19 no longer exists.

“These people think that the coronavirus is over, but no, it is still going on. That’s why a lot of people walk around without a mask. The government should take a closer look at these people who walk around without masks,” he advises.

Inhq.dw_ — *Queuing to catch the boat, in Inhambane. [Photo: DW]*

Elvira Xirinda, spokesperson for the Council of the Secretariat and State Representation in Inhambane, argues that individuals must take more responsibility, if social collapse is to be avoided.

“It is the work of raising awareness. Everyone is responsible; Covid-19 is not over. We must continue to observe all preventive measures, because otherwise things are going to collapse,” she asserts.

Mozambique had by Tuesday (January 12) recorded 22,996 cases of Covid-19, of which 22,680 were deemed locally transmitted and 316 imported. The country’s capital hosts the greatest concentration of those still infected, with 2,974 out of a total of 4,621 active cases.

Source: Deutsche Welle