by Derick Tsimba
Government through the National Taskforce is monitoring the Provincial Taskforce structures’ progress in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic across the country, a Cabinet Minister has said.
Speaking in a media briefing yesterday, Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Monica Mutsvangwa said during the weekend, members of the National Taskforce visited Provincial Taskforce structures across the country to inspect and monitor their progress on the fight against COVID-19.
“Over the weekend, members of the National Taskforce visited Provincial Taskforce structures across the country in order to inspect and monitor the progress these structures have made in the fight against the pandemic. This follows the new COVID-19 pronouncements made by His Excellency, President Emmerson Mnangagwa last week tightening the lockdown measures in response to the increased COVID-19 cases particularly through local transmissions and at work places. These visits also sought to address Province specific challenges and to also evaluate localized COVID-19 responses,” she said.
The Minister also said there was progress in the rehabilitation and renovation of identified isolation centres.
“The National Taskforce noted that there was progress in the rehabilitation and renovation of identified isolation centres, with some facilities now complete and already admitting mild cases and those cases that cannot self-isolate in their homes. The Taskforce noted with concern continued cases of illegal border crossers, but it commends responsible citizens who are apprising the Police and health officials of these potential threats to local communities,” said the Minister.
Speaking on the Health Strategy and Infrastructure Subcommittee position on fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, Minister Mutsvangwa said confirmed cases of COVID-19 had risen by 56%.
“The National Taskforce noted that the cumulative number of confirmed cases has risen by 56% in the past week from 1 611 to 2 512 while the cumulative number of confirmed local cases has risen by 80% from 791 to 1 426. Most of the local cases are in Bulawayo (615), Harare (488) and Gweru (159), Midlands Province over the past week.
“In order to expand testing and contact tracing in hotspot areas, the Ministry of Health and Child Care has established 32 Rapid Response Teams in Harare and Bulawayo,” she said.
In her remarks, the Minister said so far the country had health workers, legislators, journalists and other high profile members of society testing positive to the coronavirus. She said the pandemic spared no one, knew no rank or social station.
“But when you take care of yourself, you take care of the next person. When you wear your mask properly you protect yourself and the next person. When you stay at home, you protect yourself and others. This is to say, we have a challenge yes, but the solution is in each and every ones hands,” she concluded.
