Covid spread more in gathering including church gatherings. The Church has an important role the play in the fight against the infection.

1. The Role of the Church in the Fight against Covid-19
Since the outbreak of Coronavirus in China in December 2019, and subsequent declaration by the World
Health Organization as a pandemic of global concern in January 2020, figures have continued to rise, with
community transmission responsible for the most of the spread. In Cameroon just like in many other
countries, despite the preventive measures put in place by the government, the number of confirmed
cases continues to increase, peaking in May and June, 2020. As at June 08, 2020, the World Health
Organization reported about 7 million confirmed cases with about 390,000 deaths worldwide. Since
Cameroon reported the first confirmed case on March 06, 2020, the number of confirmed cases had risen
to more than 7,500 with about200 deaths by June 8, 2020. All the ten regions ofCameroon have recorded
at least one case, but most of the cases have been identified in the Center, Littoral and the West regions.
The North West region has reported about179 cases as at June 06, 2020 with about 31 deaths, with all the
divisions, except Bui and Donga Mantung, reporting at least one case.
Following the alarming rate at which the virus is spreading, itwill be prudent to assume that covid 19 cases
are now found a in every community and household in Cameroon, although not many have been identified
due low testing coverage. It is important to assume that everyone is a potential source of Coved 19, until
proven otherwise. In fact at the time when we were still counting less than 3,000 confirmed cases in
Cameroon, some scientists predicted thatthere were not less than 14,500 cases ofcovid 19 in Cameroon if
more people were tested. It is important to note that the testing capacity is very low; targeting only
suspected or exposed cases.
Coronavirus disease is caused by a virus called SARS coronavirus 2 (SARS-COVID 2). It is transmitted
principally by droplet but may also be transmitted bu contact with contaminated surfaces. Among other
preventive measures the World Health Organization recommends
1. Physical or social distance of at least 1..5 meters to reduce to risk of droplet transmission
2. Hand hygiene to reduce the risk of transmission from contaminated surfaces to the face
3. Face masks in case physical distance cannot be maintained to reduce the risk of droplet spread
4. Avoiding of gatherings to reduce the risk of droplet spread
5. Avoid coughing or sneezing into our hands. WHO recommends we should cough into our elbows
or use tissue
6. Avoiding hand shake to reduce the risk of transmission

2. 7. Avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth.
8. Covering the nose and mouth with your bent elbow or a tissue when coughing or sneezing.
9. Staying at home if feeling unwell.
10. Seeking prompt medical care if presenting with symptoms that are suggestive of covid—19 like a
fever, cough and difficulty breathing.
11. Avoiding unnecessary visits to medical facilities allows healthcare systems to operate more
effectively, therefore protecting you and others.
On March 17, 2020, the government of Cameroon, among other measures mandated the wearing of
facemasks in public space. Unfortunately, this measure was not accompanied by education and
sensitization and so, compliance is very low due to ignorance. Very few people attempt to put on mask and
even some of the people who try to do so allow it hanging below their chins most of the time. Most fabric
masks that are made locally do not meet quality standards.
The church has the primary responsibility to promote the wellbeing of its members,and like any other social
group, ensure their health and safety. Most churches normally meet at least two to three times per week.
Every gathering increases the risk of transmission of any infection including covid-19. In April 2020, it was
reported that most of the covid-19 infections in Hong Kong were transmitted during religious gatherings
including meetings and funerals. In fact, a Pastor publicly apologized for the role his church played in
contributing to the spread of the infection.
Although, gatherings including church gatherings have been suspended in many countries with fewer cases
than Cameroon, many gatherings like Sunday worships and other church meetings still continue to hold in
Cameroon. Although many churches and church organization have taken some precautions to reduce the
risk of transmission like splitting church services to several sessions per day in order to reduce
overcrowding and ensure social distance, promoting hand hygiene, among other things, compliance with
the prescribed measures is poor. Therefore, there is need to reinforce the measures as well as identify
strategies to reduce the risks. The purpose is this paper therefore is to fill these gaps. It is important to
note that irrespective of whether the governmentis serious or not, we have the responsibility to individually
and collectively protect ourselves from the infection. The following preventive measures should be
considered and implemented in all churches.
1. The church should pray for the pandemic in all church gatherings (I Thessalonian 5:17)

3. 2. The church should pray for her members and educate them on the need to comply with the
preventive measures recommended by the government and the World Health Organization.
3. Physical distance of 1.5 m should be strictly maintained in all church gatherings
4. The church should continue to promote hand hygiene
5. Hand shaking should be strictly avoided
6. Wearing of masks should be mandatory in all churches, except for children below ten years
7. Information about masks and other preventive measures for covid-19 should be included in the
church bulletin and church announcements
8. Children’s church services should be suspended because it is difficult for children to maintain
physical distance
9. Joint services should be avoided to reduce the risk of overcrowding
10. Choir sessions should be suspended. More droplets are generated during singing and many will
always tend to remove their masks and come closer to each other when singing
11. Nobody should be allowed to use the pulpit or microphone without a mask. Using the pulpit or
microphone without a mask increases the risk of infection to subsequent users
12. In case any member of any congregation is diagnosed with covid-19, the church services should
be suspended to reduce the risk of transmission.
Proposed by
Nkwan Jacob Gobte, RN, BNS, MPH
Infection Prevention & Control/WASH Nurse
Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Services
2019 APIC Hero of Infection Prevention, 2018 SHEA Ambassador
Water, Sanitation, & Hygiene Working Group
Infection Control African Network (ICAN)
Email: nkwanjacobgobte@gmail.com/nkwanjacobgobte@yahoo.com
Tel:(237)677813072, Whatsapp(237)662728487