The government of Cameroon has cautioned citizens to continue wearing their masks and respecting the barrier measure in the fight against the COVID-19 as the country tops 15.000 cases.

The clarion call was made by the Prime Minister, Head of Government Dr Joseph Dion Ngute while chairing the weekly meeting of the Interministerial Committee on July 10 by videoconference.

The Prime Minister stressed that compliance with barrier measures and hygiene rules is the most effective way to curb the spread of the virus.

As Cameroon enters the third operation period of the response, focus will be placed on the strengthening of the epidemiological surveillance system and the intensification of testing operations for the rapid treatment of patients.

According to the Ministry of Public Health, this third operational phase in the fight against the COVID-19 also aims to control the pandemic as has been the case from the start. For this to be successful, the Director of Disease Control at the Ministry of Public Health, Dr Alain Georges Etoundi Mballa, during the daily press briefing called on the responsibility and vigilance of all. The slightest negligence can lead to new infections and ruin the relentless efforts that have been made so far, he said.

He frowned at persons who have been advancing flimsy excuses for not wearing their face masks in public as well as those who have decided to deliberately use it the wrong way by wearing it on their chin.

According to a recent study carried out by the World Health Organisation, the face mask reduces the risk of contamination of the COVID-19 by 85 percent if properly worn.