PUBLIC SERVICE CENTRES SUPERSPREADERS

MBABANE – Public service centres are fast becoming superspreaders of the coronavirus.  

A superspreader is a person or place that transmits an infectious disease or agent to an unusually large number of people. With the rising number of COVID-19 cases in the country, it has been gathered that most of the confirmed cases are usually contacts of people who had gathered in public areas. Director of Health Services in the Ministry of Health Dr Vusi Magagula said it was most likely that people in large gatherings, especially those without enough ventilation, transmitted the coronavirus. He sternly warned locals to stay at home as much as they possibly could.

“If there is no need to go to public places, people should really stay home. Public spaces have become superspreaders of the virus,” Dr Magagula said. During a visit to one of the pharmacies in the capital city, it was witnessed that the outlet was crammed as customers queued to buy various medication. It was gathered that most of the customers had come to purchase flu medicine. A pharmacist shared that products that were mostly bought were ACC 200, Benylin and Zinc, among many cold and flu treatments.

Passports

Another visit to the Ministry of Home Affairs building saw large crowds of people who required services such as processing of travel documents or passports and identity cards. Shopping centres were also full of shoppers who were buying groceries. It was noted that some retailers no longer sanitised trolleys or even encouraged customers to observe social distancing.  
Meanwhile, Manzini North Member of Parliament (MP) Macford Sibandze, who also doubles as Chairperson for the Parliament COVID-19 Committee, was quoted by this publication having mentioned that government should limit the drivers of super spreaders. He said these were mobility, influx and gathering of people, and care-free attitude after consumption of alcohol.

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