ZAMBIA: Second Wave of Covid-19 Pandemic a “Worrying Trend” for the Church in Zambia
Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA
Catholic bishops in Zambia are concerned about the second wave of Covid- 19 pandemic which is increasing the number of positive cases in the country, calling on all citizens to act responsibility and be each other’s keeper.
In a statement signed by the Bishop Director at the helm of health department at the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB), Rt. Rev. Patrick Chisanga noted on behalf of the conference, “I write to bring to your attention the worrying trend with regard to the Covid-19 situation in Zambia and the role we could play as a Church.”
“We have been reliably informed by the Ministry of Health that the second wave of Covid-19 has firmly been established in Zambia,” Bishop Chisanga of Mansa Diocese disclosed adding, “There is an escalation in both the number of confirmed cases and the number of deaths. This surge in cases is further accompanied by an increase in the severity of the disease requiring hospitalization and oxygen therapy.”
The Prelates highlighted in a statement dated and issued on Friday, January 8, that “the new infections are more transmissible and more widely spread in terms of geographical locations” hence if the “trajectory continues, the lockdown of epic centres would be inevitable, with all the devastating consequences of such a situation.”
Addressing all Catholics and people of good will in his message, ZCCB has reminded the people of their duty of protecting each other from contracting the highly contagious virus.
“It is the moral responsibility of everyone to ensure that Zambia does not plunge into the undesirable worst possible scenario. We all ought to act responsibly always and everywhere as our brother and our sister’s keeper,” the Prelates said and added, “Once again, we ask you to critically think about protecting yourselves and others.”
They note that the memories of the effects of the pandemic are still fresh with the disruption of social, economic and religious life as experienced in the past months when restrictions were imposed and institutions closed in the country.
The Church leaders strongly urge the people to follow the guidelines set out by the Ministry of Health and the Zambia National Public Health Institute (ZNPHI) including avoidance of large group gatherings and seeking medical attention and guidance in good time among other directives in order to protect themselves and their loved ones.
Some reports have shown that huge gatherings have been identified as the major cause behind the second wave of Covid-19 in the southern African nation.
“Let us continue to be vigilant and praying for one another. May God, through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Joseph her Chaste Spouse and Protector of the Universal Church, grant you good health,” the Bishops offer their prayers petitions and promise that guidance shall be provided by the “Conference if the situation calls for such.”
As at Thursday, January 14, Zambia had recorded 80,102 cases of the Coronavirus including 1,427 deaths and 53,526 recoveries.
