Zim’s Covid-19 infections breach 300 mark

Harare, (New Ziana) – Zimbabwe on Tuesday recorded 27 new Covid-19 cases to take the tally of confirmed cases to 314, the Ministry of Health and Child Care said.

All the new cases were returnees from South Africa who are already in isolation.

“To date the total number of confirmed cases is 314, recovered 46, active cases 264 and four deaths since the onset of the outbreak on 20 March 2020,” the ministry said.

The total number of tests carried out to date now stands at 54 535.

The data came as government announced it would introduce new measures to tackle imported Coivd-19 cases by requiring people transiting through the country to produce certificates declaring them free of the disease.

Imported cases account for the bulk of the cases that the country has so far registered, with local infections still minimal.

“Cabinet agreed that every person transiting through Zimbabwe should have a Covid-19 free certificate and also that they be subjected to further testing upon arrival in Zimbabwe,” Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said.

After over 145 people absconded from quarantine, government will now require these to surrender their passports on arrival, and only re-claim the documents upon completing quarantine, she said.

With over 145 people having absconded compulsory quarantine, government, Mutsvangwa said would now required them to surrender their travel documents on arrival and get them at the end of the quarantine period.

Government said it had also identified new centres that will be used to quarantine people to free schools which are currently being used for that purpose.

The second school term is set to begin at the end of next month.
New Ziana