Zim’s Covid19 cases jump to over 1k

Harare, (New Ziana) – Zimbabwe on Monday recorded one Covid-19 death as the number of confirmed cases breached the 1 000 mark after 49 new cases were recorded, the Ministry of Health and Child Care has said.

The number of deaths now stands at 19 while confirmed cases are at 1 034.

Fifteen new recoveries were also recorded on the day taking the total of those who have healed to 343.

“The death occurred in the Midlands province and was detected during routine post-mortems as part of the Covid-19 surveillance,” the health ministry said.

To date, a number of Covid-19 deaths have been discovered at post-mortem stage, signalling late testing.

Of the 49 new cases, 28 were imported while 21 were local transmission.

“Seven of the local cases are contacts of known confirmed cases.
Investigations are underway to establish the source of infection for the remaining 14,” the health ministry said.

The number of tests conducted countrywide since the onset of the outbreak in late March now stands are 91 103 of which 53 755 are PCR.

Harare, Bulawayo and Matabeleland South provinces are leading the confirmed cases table with three digit figures of 318, 188 and 159 respectively while the rest of the provinces are within the two digit range.

Mashonaland Central and Matabeleland North provinces have the least number of cases at 11 and 25 respectively.

The surge in infections, particularly those due to local transmission, on Monday saw government ring warning bells, calling on Zimbabweans to be extra-vigilant as chances of getting infected with Covid-19, if precautionary measures are not taken seriously, were getting higher.

While the country is still under a Level Two lockdown which restricts citizens’ movement, large gatherings among others as part of measures to curtail spread of the disease, the high disregard of warnings and advice from government is one of the factors leading to a jump in infections.

Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Monica Mutsvangwa said government had noted that citizens appeared to be suffering from “lockdown fatigue and were letting their guard down.

“Our infection numbers are rising and so are our death rates. This translates into an increased risk,” she said.

She added: “While Government can tell you to wear your masks, wash and sanitize your hands, travel when it is absolutely necessary and maintain social distancing, it is up to each and every one of us to practice these measures. As a nation, we carry the collective responsibility of fighting this pandemic.”
New Ziana