Response to COVID-19 outbreak.

The current outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) got reported first from Wuhan, China, on 31 December 2019. Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a new virus that had not been previously identified in humans. COVID-19 has been declared as a pandemic by WHO due to the alarming levels of spread and severity. Till date, there is no specific medicine to treat or prevent COVID-19. The outbreak of new coronavirus disease (COVID‑19) is causing respiratory illness worldwide, prompting the WHO to declare the condition as a global pandemic. The virus has spread to more than 150 countries.

To date in Tanzania there are 284 cases of corona virus confirmed and 10 deaths occurred. Efforts have been made by the government of Tanzania in mobilizing the community members to take precaution in order to prevent from the spread of virus. 

To support the efforts of the government, OPE has come up with a safe hand washing equipment that can enable someone to wash his/her hands without touching the soap container or water tape. With this new innovation, one can only use feet to press and get water or a soap and we feel that this is more usefull and safe from the contamination of the virus. Currently, OPE volunteers are working with the community to demonstrate on safe hand washing based on the WHO guidelines. See the photos below