At least 80.000 homes in Douala have been sensitized on the proper hygiene methods to adopt in order to avoid the spread of the COVID-19, the Ministry of Public Health has revealed.
They were sensitized last week during a mass screening campaign in the economic capital that was aimed at detecting suspected cases.
At the end of the screening exercise, at least 2000 samples were collected by the health workers on the field and sent to the laboratories for analysis while suspected cases were immediately put on quarantine.
In total, statistics show about 190.000 persons were either screened or sensitized during the campaign for an acceptance rate of 85 percent while just about 15 percent of those sensitised by health workers on the field were not receptive.
With over 200 cases, 6 deaths and 9 discharged, the Littoral Region is second only to the Centre Region in terms of figures of the COVID-19 and local authorities say they will continue the mass screening exercise in order to prevent the spread of the virus in the region.
The various parts stakeholders in the region have been actively mobilizing to bar the way to the virus, notably at markets in the various sub divisions where councils have taken the bold step to disinfect them as well as ensure the strict respect of social distancing measures.
Transporters’ syndicates in the town have also mobilized to ensure members respect the measures put in place by government to prevent the spread of the virus.
“We have told our members to carry just three passengers as prescribed by the Minister of transport and we have also ensured each taxi driver must put on a mask before going to work. This is first for their own safety because they come in contact with several persons on a daily basis,” Emmanuel Njikam, a leader of a taxi driver syndicate in Bonaberi, Douala IV municipality said.
However, they continue to hope measures will be taken to help accompany them during this period given that their income has dropped. Other transporters on their part have increased the transport fare in order to cover up for the losses. It is the case with those plying the Douala-Buea-Limbe who have added FCFA 1000 to the fare to “make up” for the loss.
“In the past, the normal fare from Douala to Buea used to be FCFA 2000 but because we can’t carry the number of persons required, we now have to charge extra. This will still not help because I can’t even boast of FCFA 5000 after a trip,” Marcel Mfopa, one of the drivers said.
But, one thing is certain, they are all unanimous that desperate times require desperate measures and all hope to see the end of the COVID-19 soon.
JDC TV, Video news 
