Information, Media and Broadcasting Services Minister Senator Monica Mutsvangwa told a post cabinet media briefing on Tuesday they have resorted to this measure to avoid overwhelming of hospitals. While this is in the pipeline, the fine for non-wearing of masks was ZW$500.
“Preventative and control measures against COVID-19 will be intensified in order to avoid overwhelming the health delivery system through the mandatory and correct donning of masks. Government will be seeking to impose stiffer penalties for the non-wearing of masks,” she said.
She also said most of the COVID-19 cases in Zimbabwe are asymptomatic and can be isolated at home or in isolation facilities.
The latest situation report from the Health and Child Care Ministry showed a leap by 107 new cases bringing the total number to 1 820. Local cases were 958 compared to imported ones being 864.
The total number of recoveries now stands at 488.
“The cumulative number of confirmed cases has risen by 65.6% in the past week from 1 034 to 1 713, while the cumulative number of confirmed local cases has risen by 204.9 % from 286 to 872. Most of the local cases are in Bulawayo (490) and Harare (212),” said Minister Mutsvangwa.
Minister Mutsvangwa noted that Mater Dei Hospital will be working with the Health and Child Care Ministry on management of critical COVID-19 cases.
“On related matter, Mater Dei Hospital, a private institution in Bulawayo, has developed and equipped an 18-bed COVID-19 critical care facility.The Ministry of Health and Child Carewill enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with Mater Dei Hospital so that critically ill COVID-19 positive cases from the public sector can be admitted and treated at no cost to the patient,” she said.
