School Administrators on a common front to ward off disease as the new academic year resumes. The 2021/2022 school year started in Cameroon on September 6, 2021, amidst rising figures of COVID-19 infections, but school administrators are facing the bull by the horns.
Recently, the Minister of Public Health, Dr Manaouda Malachie revealed that over 1000 new cases had been recorded in just two weeks.
Dr Manaouda Malachie has warned that the country may witness the third wave of the pandemic in September if Cameroonians continue to flout preventive measures.
Speaking to CRTV recently, the Minister said, “People no longer respect preventive measures. Cameroonians think Covid is over, and go about their activities without necessary precautions. If nothing is done, we are off to a third wave”.
The Public Health Minister attributes the increase in infections to the new variants in Cameroon. In recent times, Public Health authorities have reported the presence of the Delta and South African variants in the country. These variants are generally more infectious and virulent.

Schools implement strict preventive measures

As the new school year begins in Cameroon, Headteachers and Principals of private and public schools say they are poised to keep the virus at bay.
On reopening day, administrative authorities visited schools in most regions to assess the implementation of preventive measures.
As a rule, all students are required to wear masks before accessing the school premises. Systematic checks are made every morning before the start of classes. Most schools had made provision for the free distribution of masks to children and teachers who come to school without one.
Hand washing stations have been installed in strategic locations in schools to encourage children to regularly wash their hands while in school.
To prevent a third wave of the pandemic in Cameroon, school authorities and public health authorities are working in collaboration to keep the virus at bay in schools.
A total of 23 countries including Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Algeria, Egypt and Libya have reported the third COVID-19 wave.
Source: CRTV