Bissau — After a dramatic increase in the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Bissau city, the pandemic prevention and response activities in the country must be intensified.
There has been an alarming increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in Guinea Bissau, most of which have been registered in Bissau city.
"In a small country like Guinea Bissau with a population of an estimated 1.9 million, and 250,000 people in Bissau city – the epicentre of COVID-19 in the country – this dramatic increase shows that the virus continues to spread in communities and faster than we thought," explains Monica Negrete, MSF Head of Mission in the country.
"Although measures have been put in place, such as isolation zones in designated health facilities and basic case management, the response is currently insufficient and often poorly coordinated at all levels in Bissau city and other regions," said Negrete.
Health workers in the country who are on the frontline responding to COVID-19 must be protected, in particular through the provision of the necessary personal protective equipment and other infection, prevention and control measures.
