It has been business as usual in many parts of Tanzania despite the growing number of cases of coronavirus pandemic. The country is now forced to respond speedily to the scourge.
According to the World Health Organisation, Tanzania’s delay to take stricter actions in preventing the spread of the virus would now cost them a higher price. Numbers of infections are growing at an alarming rate.
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Matshidiso Moeti, WHO’s Regional Director said there were concerned about the escalating numbers of reported coronavirus cases in East African countries. Moeti said if necessary steps were taken from the onset the spread could have been reduced.
“Certainly in Tanzania, we have observed that physical distancing, including the prohibition of mass gathering, took some time to happen and we believe that these might have been probable factors that led to a rapid increase in cases there, ” he added.
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Tanzanian government under the leadership of President John Magafuli has since been criticised for its stance in allowing things to continue as per normal. However, the President has hid the call to introduce the lockdown which has seen schools, universities and businesses close.
Magafuli defended his approach to fighting the virus saying it was also important to balance the economic activity of the country and the urgent need to curb the virus.
Tanzania currently sits at 248 confirmed cases of people who tested positive for the novel coronavirus and its first case was reported in March.
Article written by Thalente Ncube
