Health Reporter
Government yesterday expressed its concern over the increase in fake Covid 19 news at a time when the country is grappling with Covid 19 pandemic.
Speaking to the media after the 17th Cabinet session, the Minister for Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Monica Mutsvangwa said the only reliable source of information on the COVID-19 situation is the Ministry of Health and Child Care.
“With regard to risk communication and information, Cabinet notes with concern the rise in the dissemination of COVID-19-related fake news, mainly through social media platforms. The public is urged to remain cognizant that the only source of information on the COVID-19 situation is the Ministry of Health and Child Care and not to act on the basis of information from unverified sources,” said the Minister.
Minister Mutsvangwa further urged the public to remain vigilant and desist from the increasing complacency being witnessed in observing all COVID-19 prevention and control measures and regulations.
The Minister added that Government has observed that some provinces such as Matabeleland South are not adhering to COVID-19 regulations at funerals, resulting in unnecessary discord between Environmental Health Workers and the local leadership regarding issues of opening of coffins and body viewing.
She added that all Covid 19 health protocol should be observed regardless of place or situation.
The Minister further informed the nation that the Ministry of Health and Child Care has developed the ZimCOVID Safe Interactive App with the aim of reducing traffic of calls to health institutions, to educate the public about COVID-19 and to disseminate official news from the Ministry.
The application which could be downloaded on Google Play Store and Apple AppStore has several features that include COVID-19 screening tool, vaccination and testing centres information; news updates and educational content among other features.
Minister Mutsvangwa further advised that as of 31st May, 2021, 675 678 people had received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and 344 400 their second dose across the country.
As of Monday this week, the country’s cumulative COVID-19 cases stood at 38 961, with 36 594 recoveries and 1 594 deaths. The recovery rate stands at 94%, with 94% of COVID-19-positive cases being attributable to local transmission. The number of active cases stands at 771.
