BY MIRIAM MANGWAYA
GOVERNMENT has resolved to place all learning institutions that record COVID-19 cases on quarantine to contain the spread of the respiratory disease.
This followed an outbreak at Bondolfi Teachers College in Masvingo, where at least 94 students tested positive to the deadly virus recently.
This was disclosed by Information minister Monica Mutsvangwa yesterday at a post-Cabinet media briefing where she stated that health officials were conducting contact tracing, screening and testing at the institution and at nearby primary and secondary schools.
“Any outbreaks at other learning institutions across the country will be addressed using these measures and the standard guidelines for the co-ordinated prevention and management of COVID-19 at all learning institutions in Zimbabwe,” Mutsvangwa said.
“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 cognisant 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.”
Government also warned against complacency in adhering to the COVID-19 protocols.
Health experts have also warned of a potentially more fatal third wave of COVID-19, which has reportedly hit the country in the face of a shortage of COVID-19 vaccines.
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Mutsvangwa said the vaccination programme was ongoing, but priority was being given to those requiring second doses.
She also said the country had now established the ZimCOVID Safe Interactive App which was developed by the Ministry of Information to reduce traffic caused by too many calls to health institutions.
Mutsvangwa said the application would also help to educate the public about COVID-19 and to disseminate official news from the ministry.
As at May 31, 2021, Zimbabwe’s cumulative COVID-19 cases stood at 38 961, with 36 594 recoveries and 1 594 deaths.
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