Covid-19: Two-thirds of patients with “respiratory failure”

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Covid-19: Two-thirds of patients with “respiratory failure”

3:50 CAT | 15 Jan 2021

Picture: DW

Mozambique has seen an exponential increase in new Covid-19 cases and deaths in recent days, causing Medical Assistance in Mozambique to urge the strengthening of preventive measures.

National Director of Medical Assistance of Mozambique, Ussene Isse, said this Thursday in Maputo that 68% of Covid-19 patients in the country arrive at hospitals with “severe respiratory failure”, and need a minimum of 10 days’ treatment.

Issafile.dw_ — *National Director of Medical Assistance of Mozambique, Ussene Isse*

Ussene Isse mentioned the number to illustrate the severity of the Covid-19 pandemic in Mozambique, which has seen an exponential increase in new infections and the number of deaths.

“Sixty-eight percent of the patients who come to our [health] services have severe respiratory failure, which means that they cannot return home, and have to be hospitalised,” Isse said.

The state in which patients infected with the new coronavirus arrive at hospitals requires ventilation or oxygen over a period of at least 10 days, he added.

Stricture measures

Issa emphasised the need to bolster preventive measures, urging health professionals to follow health protocols to the letter in order to avoid contamination.

On Wednesday, Filipe Nyusi announced a tightening of restrictions in the country.

“We are at the forefront in the fight against Covid-19. It is important to have strict preventive measures. We cannot waver, because the situation is not easy. We have to look very carefully at our situation in order to take care of the health of others,” Isse stressed.

The appeal comes after another, launched on Wednesday (13-01) by the President of the Republic, Filipe Nyusi.

“Soon, those who are sick may not be able to be hospitalised,” Isse added, noting that even private services are becoming saturated.

According to Wednesday’s Ministry of Health bulletin, there were 140 patients in Covid-19 inpatient centres and other hospital units, 79.3% of them in Maputo.

Nineteen percent of the Covid-19 deaths registered in Mozambique since the beginning of the pandemic took place in January, 2021, 81% of them in the metropolitan area of Maputo, the president added.

Filipe Nyusi announced a 21-day tightening of restrictions, starting Friday (today), with the shortening of commercial and catering establishment opening hours, the closing of other establishments and cultural spaces, and a ban on going to beaches, among other measures.

Source: Deutsche Welle