4 CHURCHES CLOSED

Kapiri Mposhi Town Council has revoked gathering permits for four churches for abrogating COVID-19 health guidelines.  And Kapiri Mposhi has recorded 447 cumulative positive Coronavirus cases with nine deaths since the outbreak of the viral disease.  The churches had their permits revoked for failure by congregants to wear face masks, absence of hand washing facilities […]

4 CHURCHES CLOSED
Kapiri Mposhi Town Council has revoked gathering permits for four churches for abrogating COVID-19 health guidelines.  And Kapiri Mposhi has recorded 447 cumulative positive Coronavirus cases with nine deaths since the outbreak of the viral disease.  The churches had their permits revoked for failure by congregants to wear face masks, absence of hand washing facilities at church premises and lack of physical distancing among congregants.  During an Ad-hoc Epidemic Preparedness Committee meeting, Council Health Inspector, Rabby Mwansa said the four churches were among 31 inspected for observance of COVID-19 health measures recently.  Mr Mwansa disclosed that 21 out of 31 churches inspected were also cautioned for partially observing health measures.   He said the affected churches would only be allowed to congregate after meeting the prescribed health measures to prevent the spread of Coronavirus.  “To increase and strengthen compliance to COVID-19 preventive measures the council has heightened inspection of public places such as churches, markets, shops and schools and we will close any public place found not adhering to health measures,” Mr Mwansa said.  And Kapiri Mposhi District has recorded 447 cumulative positive Coronavirus virus cases and nine COVID-19 related deaths since the outbreak of the viral disease. Acting District Health Director, Katherine Kalumba said the district had setup an isolation center at Kapiri Urban Clinic which currently had one COVID-19 patient.  Dr Kalumba said 30 health staff have been trained in COVID-19 surveillance and case management in the district.  “Since the outbreak we have collected a cumulative total of 5,655 samples out of which a total of 447 have come out positive with nine deaths so far,” Dr. Kalumba said.  She assured that there was adequate manpower and oxygen equipment at the isolation center to respond to the current statistics of COVID-19 being recorded in the district.  Meanwhile, Kapiri Mposhi District Commissioner, Smart Mwila has bemoaned the low compliance levels to COVID-19 health measures in the district.  Mr Mwila has since ordered the Council and line ministries to intensify enforcement of measures and sensitization on Coronavirus.  Mr Mwila said authorities should move in to enforce COVID-19 regulations at super spreader events such as funeral and church gatherings.   “We seem to have relaxed enforcement of measures and people are now not adhering to health measures … there are no washing facilities at shops anymore,” Mr Mwila said.