Suburban
The public has been urged to quarantine if they notice signs and symptoms of Covid-19 such as a high temperature.
Diana Nherera
Suburban Reporter
Chief Co-ordinator of the Covid-19 Response in the Office of the President and Cabinet, Dr Agnes Mahomva said one does not need to be tested first.
“One should simply quarantine at home if one has signs and symptoms such as a high temperature.
“This stops the spread of the virus,” she said.
Dr Mahomva urged companies to continue carrying out temperature screening and hand sanitization when employees enter their workplaces.
She said the country is reporting an increase in cases of Covid-19 due to complacency by individuals and communities.
“People are simply not adhering to the recommended preventative measures that were put in place to curb the spread of the virus.
“If you don’t curb the spread, the numbers go up,” said Dr Mahomva.
The country has recorded 1 365 new cases and 34 deaths as at January 5 with Harare alone recording 777 cases.
These cases were reported in one day. All the 1 365 were local cases.
Twenty five of the deaths occurred at institutional level with nine at community level.
Government has set aside $7 billion for the heightened fight against Covid-19, with authorities calling for the tightening of restrictions to control the geographical spread of the virus.
This follows a spike in infections this week.
Health and Child Care Deputy Minister Dr John Mangwiro confirmed receipt of the funds, saying they will partly be used to recruit more personnel and procure equipment to respond to the virus.
“Government has cumulatively availed $7 billion to motivate and employ more health workers, procure testing kits, PPEs (personal protective equipment), sundries, sanitisers and to improve infrastructure.
“Government has procured 156 000 kits for testing and these are being distributed throughout the country,” said Dr Mangwiro.
Harare has recorded the highest number of cases, but the virus is fast spreading throughout the country, which is now at level four of community transmission which translates to 150 per 100 000 population.
Acting President Kembo Mohadi and Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, who is also the Minister of Health and Child Care, announced lockdown regulations under Level Four, which took effect from Tuesday when strict control of people’s movements started with security forces mounting roadblocks and checkpoints countrywide.
The measures are seen as the best way of reining in the spike in infections.
Acting Harare mayor Councillor Stewart Mutizwa on Wednesday said municipal police would assist authorities in enforcing lockdown regulations.
He particularly warned illegal vendors and unlicensed commuter omnibus operators that the net was closing in on them.
