- UPDATE ON ZIMBABWE’S RESPONSE TO THE COVID-19 OUTBREAK
Cabinet received an update on the response to the COVID-19 Outbreak, which was presented by the Minister of Defence and War Veterans Affairs as Chairperson of the Inter-Ministerial Task Force on the COVID-19 Outbreak.
Cabinet was informed that as at 12th April, 2021, Zimbabwe’s cumulative COVID-19 cases stood at 37 307, with 34 901 recoveries and 1 542 deaths. The recovery rate stands at 94 per cent, with 35 423 of cases being attributed to local transmission. Active cases were 864.
Cabinet noted that due to the strong COVID-19 surveillance system being implemented in schools, last week’s outbreak at Sacred Heart School in Umzingwane District of Matabeleland South Province was easily detected and dealt with. Out of the 248 students and 33 teachers tested, 117 were found to be COVID-19 positive. All the cases are mild, and are isolating at the school for the learners or at home for the teachers. Response activities that include contact tracing and strengthening of all Standard Operating Procedures and guidelines are in progress.