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Manicaland Covid-19 hotspots identified

23 Apr, 2021 - 00:04 0 Views
Manicaland Covid-19 hotspots identified

The ManicaPost

Ray Bande

Senior Reporter

WITH the possibility of a Covid-19 third wave looming large, complacency has crept in among the people of Manicaland, with gatherings drawing large crowds in total disregard of the national regulations, officials have said.

Red flag was raised on Tuesday when the National Taskforce Risk Communication and Information co-chairperson, Senator Monica Mutsvangwa met provincial heads of Government departments in Manicaland.

The officials presented their reports on progress being made in the fight against Covid-19. In his report, Manicaland Provincial Medical Director, Dr Simon Nyadundu said vaccination uptake in the province was high.

“So far, 25 700 people have received their first doses of vaccination in Manicaland. A total of 4 871 have received their second doses.

“In line with Government’s position that all border towns have to vaccinate all the eligible people above 18, we spent the whole of last weekend preparing for that.

“We are starting with Mutare and will reach other parts of the province since we are expecting another consignment between today (Tuesday) and tomorrow.

“People are no longer adhering to Covid-19 guidelines. Communities are now complacent, especially after the partial relaxation of lockdown measures. Some seem to think that the end of the lockdown meant that Covid-19 is over,” said Dr Nyadundu.

“The current hot spots include Mutasa District around Bonda Mission, Mutare urban and Mutare rural with cluster cases around Chitakatira.

“The epi-curve shows a steep rise from April 14, 2021 showing the increase of cases associated with the cases at Bonda Girls’ High School. The cases are building up daily, which could be the start of the third wave,” he said.

At St David’s Bonda High School, 112 students initially tested Covid-19 positive after undergoing tests last week.

Dr Nyadundu confirmed that  28 more positive Covid-19 cases were detected on Monday at the school after further testing and contact tracing. Patients include staff members and four day scholars while the rest are boarders at the school.

“All the patients are either mild or asymptomatic and this is why we have established a quarantine centre at the school.

“Only two patients who showed symptoms are isolated at the hospital,” said Dr Nyadundu.

He said the province’s case fatality rate stood at 4.9 percent.

“As of now (Tuesday) the total number of Covid-19 cases reported in Manicaland so far is 3 946, including 194 deaths. A total of 3 580 cases have recovered to give us a recovery rate of 90.7 percent. The case fatality rate currently stands at 4.9 percent,” he said.

Speaking on law enforcement, Officer Commanding Police in Manicaland, Commissioner Dr Wiklef Makamache said more than 13 000 people have been arrested for breaching Covid-19 regulations since the beginning of the year.

Dr Makamache said non-deterrent penalties are fuelling the wanton breaching of the Covid-19 regulations.

“It is not an easy exercise to carry out law enforcement as this also involves deprivation of certain freedoms, but we have managed to cover the length and breadth of the province.

“We have intensified our border patrols to prevent people from getting into the country through illegal points. In terms of violation of standing regulations, we have arrested more than 13 000 people since the beginning of the year.

“These figures show that people are not complying with the regulations. Remember it takes the individuals, health personnel and law enforcement agents to control the Covid-19 pandemic.

“The non-deterrent penalties have seen individuals continuing to flout the regulations,” he said.

“Unsanctioned social groupings are on the increase. We now have an uncontrollable quest for campaigns by political parties.

‘‘We are appealing to you Honourable Minister to encourage the politicians to moderate these campaigns,” said Dr Makamache.f

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