The Tanzanian government says it doesn’t believe the recent spread of flu-like symptoms, headaches and fevers in the country is a new wave of COVID-19. This, as an increasing number of countries around the world are detecting cases of the new variant, Omicron.
For about two weeks now doctors in Tanzania have admitted to treating large numbers of patients with flu-like symptoms, and headaches and fevers.
The Ministry of Health says recent weather changes are behind a spike in such cases in the country, and has ruled out a fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.
It says it is monitoring the situation closely.
Some doctors in the country say There has been alarm among the public because only around 2% of Tanzanians have been vaccinated against COVID-19.
This is further compounded by recent reports that the majority of the country’s citizens do not seek medical attention even when infected with COVID-19 and only seek it when in critical condition.
Addressing the country’s COVID-19 situation, Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa says Tanzania is yet to record a case of the latest COVID-19 variant Omicron.
A 40-year-old man, who was allegedly found Omicron positive after returning to India from Tanzania on December 10 recently tested negative.
With case figures on the latest coronavirus wave rising around the world, the government here says it is not taking any chances and has called for the public to be vigilant.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic began there have been around 26 000 infections and 734 coronavirus-related deaths reported in the country according to official figures.
Tanzania has yet to release any recently updated figures on COVID-19, but it says its daily sample tests show that there are no COVID-19 cases related to the Omicron in the country. -Reporting by Isaac Lukando
