A massive testing exercise in Rwanda is already underway for coronavirus infections among the elderly in various designated districts of the country, APA can report on Thursday.
The Director General of Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RDC), Dr Sabin Nsanzimana told APA that the testing will be done in line with World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines on testing for the virus, and basing on the criteria of one’s senior age group
“The purpose of this exercise is to have close monitoring of wellbeing of elderly people so as to safeguard their health and that of their family and the country at large,” he said.
Reports by the World Health Organisation (WHO) indicate that older people, and those of all ages with pre-existing medical conditions (such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, lung disease, or cancer) appear to develop serious illness such as COVID-19 more often than others.
According to the UN agency, COVID-19 is changing older people’s daily routines, the care and support they receive, their ability to stay socially connected and how they are perceived.
Older people are being challenged by requirements to spend more time at home, lack of physical contact with other family members, friends and colleagues, temporary cessation of employment and other activities; and anxiety and fear of illness and death – their own and others, it said.
As of Tuesday, Rwanda’s number of COVID-19 cases has increased to 789, with 11 more cases confirmed on the same day.
The total number of recoveries is currently at 371, and only two deaths have occurred in the country due to the disease.
The government has been gradually easing restrictions introduced due to COVID-19.
On May 4, some businesses were allowed to resume operations and restrictions on movements were eased.
However, a curfew remains in place between 9:00 om to 05:00 am (local time) during which movements are prohibited without government permission.
CU/as/APA