The Ministry of Health’s press release yesterday announced that seventy people were infected with covid-19. This number has never been reached before because the number of people infected is increasing every day. These are entries into Kanyinya hospital, not exits. But the measures taken and the way in which they are being carried out give hope of overcoming this evil.
Kigali has been under lockdown for about a week. Non-essential travel is not permitted. Business not necessary for the survival of the population is suspended. The sale of food and medicines is allowed, and district and referral health centres and hospitals remain functional as usual. All borders are closed. But Rwandans wishing to return home are still welcome, provided they accept a two-week isolation period.
In addition to all these measures, other so-called accompanying measures to appease the scoundrels have been in force since last weekend. A food distribution has started. An opportunity for all people of good will, churches, non-governmental organizations, private companies, to show their national solidarity.
The implementation of all these measures is proceeding smoothly. Containment is generally respected. Infected persons are treated separately from the rest of the sick. Other potentially ill persons are quarantined. At the moment their numbers are in excess of 1,000.
But the situation seems to be under control overall. The number of people in quarantine and the number of sick people should decrease in the coming weeks. No deaths have been recorded since the beginning of the pandemic in the country.
According to official information, no cases seem alarming. The first healed people should soon start to leave the hospital. And the first step towards victory will have been taken.
Gerard Rugambwa
