By Anyway Yotamu
The government continues to put in place intervention measures to increase the capacity to fight the coronavirus pandemic as infections stood at 387 on Monday.
Addressing journalists after the Covid-19 inter-ministerial Taskforce meeting at State House in Harare this Monday, Information, Publicity, and Broadcasting Services Minister Senator Monica Mutsvangwa said the government is on a drive to provide clean and safe water to its citizens which is critical in the fight against coronavirus.
Minister Mutsvangwa also highlighted that the decision to re-open schools on the 28th of July was done after consultations with all stakeholders and all precautionary measures are being put in place to ensure the safety of the teachers and the learners.
“In order to cater for the re-opening of schools, which will see learners, teaching and non-teaching staff commuting to and from schools, the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development is developing guidelines that will assist schools in their preparations for operation as well as intercity passenger transport services,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.
She also highlighted that there are drugs that have been distributed to provincial and central hospitals.
“This past week, drugs that were identified in the treatment of Covid-19, Hydroxychloroquine, which was locally produced, and Alpha Interferon, which was sourced from Cuba, were distributed to provincial and central hospitals. Another primary drug, which is used in treating symptoms through lowering fevers and pain, paracetamol, is being locally manufactured. I am pleased to announce that the nation now has the following stocks of pharmaceuticals: 20 million paracetamol tablets, 20 000 paracetamol syrup, 755 000 Vitamin C, and 420 000 chloroquine tablets.”
The Chief Coordinator National Response to the COVID-19, Dr. Agnes Mahomva said a document has been developed to serve as a guideline on how to carry out the mandatory quarantine process.
The Minister of Health and Child Care Dr. Obadiah Moyo, said most people who were in quarantine centers, have been released after having tested negative.
The country had at the time of the press conference recorded 387 Covid-19 cases including 54 recoveries and 4 deaths.