Masvingo readies Covid-19 isolation centres

Mwenezi, (New Ziana) – Masvingo Province is working tirelessly to ensure that the refurbishment of isolation centres in the region is completed within the 21-day lock down period, a senior official has said.

Speaking on the sidelines of a tour of Mwenezi and Chivi districts isolation centres, the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs Ezra Chadzamira said it was important that the province takes advantage of the lockdown to complete the renovations, and be ready in case of the outbreak of the pandemic in the region.

“All that needs attention at the isolation centres that we have seen should be addressed within this 21-day period. We have roped in the business community in the province, we have not relied entirely on the Central Government only but as a province we are getting support from the business community,” he said.

Isolation centres are being established in every district of the province as part of government’s rapid Covid-19 response plans.

The provincial resources mobilisation taskforce has raised $12 150 000 for the fight against the virus from the local business community, part of which was being used for the refurbishments of isolation centres.

Meanwhile, Mwenezi district has converted its paediatric ward at its main hospital into an isolation centre with a carrying capacity of 12 patients. In a worst case scenario, it can accommodate 20 people.

However, district development co-ordinator Rosemary Chingwe said the district hospital faced water and other resource challenges that needed to be urgently attended to.

But she said Covid-19 awareness campaigns were being vigorously carried out in the district, which is close to South Africa where the pandemic is more serious.

She said the awareness teams were urging villagers to closely monitor their relatives returning from South Africa, and report any signs of illness quickly.

In Chivi district, an isolation centre that has been set can accommodate 12 patients, but as is the case with Mwenezi, faces challenges of water shortage, and that of beds.

Officials said people in the two districts were adhering to the 21-day lockdown declared to stop the spread of the pandemic.
New Ziana