by Grace Chekai
Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Honourable Minister Monica Mutsvangwa yesterday, gave the country’s update on the global pandemic, COVID-19 and said awareness about the virus continues to improve.
Speaking at a media briefing, Minister Mutsvangwa said, “Our knowledge about COVID-19 continues to improve, so does our capacity to respond to the pandemic. The subcommittee reported that several provincial sites have been trained to manage the GeneXpert machines, whose functionality have been increased so that they can also test for COVID-19.”
She said that the GeneXpert machines will increase the country`s testing capacity and mentioned the Provincial sites which are Bulawayo, Harare, Manicaland, Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland East, Mashonaland West, Masvingo, Matabeleland North and Matabeleland South.
Bulawayo received 2 machines, Harare 4, Mashonaland Central 1, Mashonaland East 1, Mashonaland West 1, Masvingo 1, Matabeleland North 1and Matabeleland South 3.
Minister Mutsvangwa said the health vacant posts would be unfrozen so that the nation would have adequate health personnel to mann the medical facilities, adding that some vacant posts had already been filled.
“I am pleased to announce that 3 713 health posts that were unfrozen in March 2020, 3 539 have been filled. The process of filling the remaining 174 outstanding is underway,” said the Minister.
Minster Mutsvangwa said that apart from the learning institutions which are being used as quarantine centres, churches, Vocational and National Youth Service Training Centres have also been identified as alternative quarantine centres.
She said to ensure that the learning institutions are ready to receive students, new returnees will not be admitted at these institutions.
Minister Mutsvangwa highlighted the amendment of Statutory Instrument 110 of 2020 which gives WHO guidelines on sporting under COVID-19 in the Zimbabwean context.
She said the Minister of Sports, Arts and Recreation Kirsty Coventry will specify sport codes which are regarded as low-risk, medium risk or high risk sports.
Minister Mutsvangwa urged Zimbabweans to adhere to WHO guidelines in the fight against the coronavirus.
To date, Zimbabwe has recorded 56 positive cases, 4 deaths and 25 recoveries.
