MBABANE: Senator Lizzie Nkosi, the Minister of Health has urged emaSwati not to panick after the discovery of a new COVID-19 variant in neighboring South Africa.
In a statement released on Monday afternoon,the Minister said there was no evidence of the COVID-19 Omicron sub-variant XBB 1.5 in the country.
“There is no evidence that this variant is circulating in Eswatini.However, this is a possibility as a result of the country's proximity to South Africa and this is being monitored through genomic sequencing of local samples,”reads the statement in part.
Reached for comments,Mayibongwe Masangane, the Secretary General of the Swaziland Democratic Nurses Union warned emaSwati that it was highly likely that the variant was also in the country.
"If South Africa coughs,it is highly likely that we are going to catch the flue.We have relatives in South Africa and we are from the festive season and a number of people went to South Africa so we need to be vigilant. Anyone who is not feeling well with flue like symptoms must report to the nearest health facility for medical attention.Yes we know that other health facilities are incapacitated to deal with some conditions but there is always referral,”said the Secretary General.
Health Minister Lizzie Nkosi.