Harare (New Ziana) – The government has warned that COVID-19 treatment centres across Zimbabwe could soon be overwhelmed if the country continues to register high number of new infections.

Zimbabwe is currently experiencing a resurgence of COVID-19 infections, a situation largely blamed on complacency and non adherence to preventative measures.

Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services permanent secretary Nick Mangwana summed up the COVID-19 situation in the country.

“To put our situation into perspective, you see we recorded nearly 500 positive new cases in 2 days
If it so happens that the new cases need a hospital bed, then you can see how we can easily run out of beds and in those two days we have lost nine people and much more in the week,” he tweeted on Saturday.

“We hear UK beds are overwhelmed by COVID-19. Well that is them. They say in SA, hospital admission thresholds are now quite high- that is them. But let me tell you about our own situation, do not catch the virus if you can avoid it. We are being overwhelmed and overrun by this virus,” he added in an earlier tweet on Friday.

“Those who doubt should call any hospital including private ones and hear what they will be told. Our capacity to admit other patients is extremely diminished.”

In its latest COVID-19 daily update, the Ministry of Health and Child Care said 217 new cases were recorded on Friday of which 216 were local transmissions while one was a returnee from South Africa.

Six deaths were also recorded.

“The seven day rolling average for new cases rises to 172 from 154 yesterday (Thursday),” the Ministry said.

“(A total of)97 new recoveries were reported, national recovery rate stands at 80.6 percent and active cases go up to 2368 today. As of 1 January, Zimbabwe recorded 14084 cases, 11347 recoveries and 369 deaths.”
New Ziana