by Staff Reporter
Government has announced that the printing of the new COVID-19 vaccination cards with security features is on course, and the World Health Organisation (WHO) is working on a platform to store vaccination data for use internationally.
Addressing a post-cabinet media briefing yesterday, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Senator Monica Mutsvangwa said the printing of the COVID-19 vaccination cards with improved security features followed the emergence of counterfeits cards by some unscrupulous and corrupt individuals. She said Government had since warned that it would leave no stone unturned in apprehending greedy malcontents bent on tampering with the security features of the vaccination card.
“Cabinet also advises that printing of the new COVID-19 Vaccination cards with security features is on course, and the World Health Organisation is working on a platform to store vaccination data for use internationally,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.
The Minister also said strong COVID-19 surveillance system being implemented in schools, led to easy detection of last week’s outbreak at Sacred Heart School in Umzingwane District of Matabeleland South Province.
“Cabinet noted that due to the strong COVID-19 surveillance system being implemented in schools, last week’s outbreak at Sacred Heart School in Umzingwane District of Matabeleland South Province was easily detected and dealt with. Out of the 248 students and 33 teachers tested, 117 were found to be COVID-19 positive. All the cases are mild, and are isolating at the school for the learners or at home for the teachers. Response activities that include contact tracing and strengthening of all Standard Operating Procedures and guidelines are in progress,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.
The Minister noted that hospital admissions for COVID-19 cases have generally decreased, resulting in institutions such as the Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals reclaiming areas in the Out-Patient Department for routine service provision.
Meanwhile, Government has announced that learners at Boarding Schools will not be released for the holiday in order to protect them from the COVID 19 disease.
As at 12 April 2021, the country’s cumulative COVID-19 cases stood at 37 307, with 34 901 recoveries and 1 542 deaths. The recovery rate stands at 94 per cent, with 35 423 of cases being attributed to local transmission.
