Spike in BIDs worries LCC

NOEL IYOMBWA writes LUSAKA has experienced a spike in Brought In Dead (BIDs) cases, recording 579 BIDs out of 1,396 deaths in three weeks. This occurred between July 22 and August 11, this year, says Lusaka City Council (LCC) spokesperson George Sichimba. Mr Sichimba said that the LCC burial permit office recorded 579 BIDs out of 1396 deaths recorded during the period under review. He said that the number of BIDs recorded represents 41.5 percent of the total deaths recorded compared to 371 BIDs out of 1427 deaths representing 26 percent recorded over the same period in 2019. Mr Sichimba noted that the rise in the number of BIDs was because residents had resorted to self-medication for fear of been tested for COVID-19 in health facilities. “This is contrary to Ministry of Health guidelines which requires people to seek medical help at health centres when they are sick or call 909 when they suspect COVID-19 symptoms. “People who may be keeping patients at home are advised to consider taking them to the clinic for examination and treatment. In this era of COVID-19, people should be alert and visit the nearest hospital for as soon as they observe abnormalities in their health,” he said. He warned the elderly and people with underlying conditions to be on high alert and protect themselves against contracting COVID-19. The Sun