Zimbabwe recorded a slight increase in coronavirus cases in the past week, a Cabinet Minister has said.
Addressing the media during the post-Cabinet briefing on Tuesday, Information, Publicity, and Broadcast Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said the country recorded a total of 211 new cases during the week compared to 203 recorded the previous week. She said:
A total of 211 new cases including six deaths were recorded during the week, compared to 203 recorded the previous week.
For the week under review, there were 28 new admissions compared to 30 recorded the previous week.
Cabinet advises that the small spike in the number of new cases and deaths recorded during the week is of concern and calls for the country to remain vigilant.
Mutsvangwa said the recovery rate is 98 percent with 467 active cases.
On vaccination, she said 6 581 530 people received their first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine while 4 949 555 people were administered with second dose, and 1 274 040 received a third dose. Said Mutsvangwa:
Members of the public who are not vaccinated are encouraged to take advantage of this blitz to get vaccinated. In light of the upcoming festive season, Cabinet resolved on the following strategies in order to ensure that the pandemic is kept under check; that provincial teams strengthen their vaccination programme to protect citizens from severe disease and from death.
Communities and individuals should remain vigilant during this festive season and continue to protect themselves by getting fully vaccinated; washing hands with soap and running water; sanitising hands frequently; maintaining social distancing and avoiding crowded gatherings.
Mutsvangwa also urged members of the public should continue to wear face masks properly in public transport vehicles and indoor gatherings. | Chronicle