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PM ADMITTED TO ICU FOR COVID-19

24/11/2020 00:51:00 BY SITHEMBILE HLATSHWAYO

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MBABANE – The country’s premier, Ambrose Mandvulo Dlamini, has been admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU).

This comes after he developed mild symptoms after testing positive for COVID-19 last Thursday. Dlamini was received at the Mbabane Government Hospital’s ICU at around 11am yesterday. His security detail remained outside the ICU door ensuring that he was safe, while doctors and nurses attended to him.

The ICU is mainly reserved for patients with other complications outside COVID-19. However, the Minister of Health, Lizzie Nkosi, said they admitted the prime minister (PM) to the Mbabane Government ICU due to the fact that there were no other private wards. Nkosi said they were closely monitoring the premier following that he had developed mild symptoms of COVID-19.

She noted that the country had a shortage of private wards, hence the admission of Dlamini to the ICU. Even if you want to place anybody in a private ward, there is none presently in the country’s government health facilities.”

When asked on whether the PM’s condition was critical, Minister Nkosi said they would update the nation should the need arise. “We could move Dlamini to a facility where COVID-19 patients are treated but for now they want to monitor him very closely,” Nkosi said.

Shortly after being admitted to the hospital, government issued a press statement through its Spokesperson Sabelo Dlamini, informing the nation that the PM had developed mild symptoms.

monitoring

According to the spokesperson, doctors had recommended that Dlamini be admitted to the hospital for monitoring and recuperation.

Minister of Public Works and Transport Chief Ndlaluhlaza Ndwandwe, who was among the first Cabinet members to test positive for COVID-19, urged the nation to be strong for the PM and pray with him during this critical time.

Ndwandwe said doctors had seen it fit for the PM to be admitted to the hospital after realising that his health needed close monitoring, adding that he would recover.

According to the minister, the COVID-19 team of nurses and doctors were doing a commendable job in terms of controlling and managing the virus in the country. “We can all attest to that we have seen people being admitted to the COVID-19 facilities in a critical condition and they recovered with time,” Ndwandwe said.

The minister said he was lucky enough that his condition was not critical and received treatment while at home.

He noted that he received routine visits from the COVID-19 team, who provided him with the necessary treatment, hence he recovered. Furthermore, he said he was thankful that the premier was being monitored closely and it was recommended that he be admitted for speedy recovery.

Manzini North Member of Parliament Macford Sibandze, who was among the first legislators to test positive for COVID-19, encouraged the PM to remain with a strong mental fitness. “With a strong mentality, COVID-19 is overpowered,” he said.

Hence, he noted that the premier should remain focused, especially because the country had shown triumph over the COVID-19 pandemic. Further, he added that Dlamini should also remain confident that these were just symptoms, which suggested that he was sick, but physically, he was well and needed to be strong mentally and spiritually.

shocking

Kukhanyeni MP Malavi Sihlongonyane said it was shocking to hear that the PM had been admitted to the ICU, but still hoped that he would be assisted. Sihlongonyane said in his case, he was never sick and did not develop COVID-19 symptoms. “Yes, I tested positive, but after three days I was cleared and told that I was negative.”

He wished Dlamini a speedy recovery.

Meanwhile, the premier declared his COVID-19 positive status through a press statement last Thursday, where he stated that he was asymptomatic and feeling well but in isolation in line with health protocols.

He mentioned that he was supported by the Ministry of Health medical personnel at home, adding that he would continue working from home until he was cleared of the virus. “All my close contacts for the past week are being tested and are expected to self-isolate and follow the necessary health guidelines,” said Dlamini in the statement.

Further, he urged the nation to continue being cautious to protect themselves against the virus.

He also said government continued to intensify its response to the virus, especially at a time when projections were indicating that the country was in danger of experiencing a second wave of infections. “As per our newly-launched campaign ‘Mgcini Wesive’, we should not tire of looking after one another and encouraging adherence to all health protocols at all times,” he said.

Dlamini’s confirmation of testing positive for COVID-19 comes barely a week after he warned individuals and entities that sell liquor that government is not going to hesitate to ban them if they breached COVID-19 regulations.

The PM’s stern warning was after there were reports that hotspots were gathering large numbers of people, who did not conform to COVID-19 regulations, which include wearing masks and social distancing. Also, it was reported that some fun lovers were imbibing while regulations strictly state that alcohol should be sold for home use only or served with food in a restaurant.