Govt ups Covid-19 fight

By Kundai Marunya

Government is scaling up the fight against the coronavirus pandemic through implementation of different measures among them increasing mass testing, decongesting their offices and formulating vaccination protocols.
This was revealed in the weekly Covid-19 Taskforce statement by Acting Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Honourable Jenfan Muswere.
The measure comes after an alarming mortality rate with a record 60 people dying on January 18, while a large number of new infections are being recorded daily across the country.
Muswere said Government has increased PCR testing.
“In our fight against Covid-19, testing is central to our strategy,” he said.
“In the week under consideration, we conducted a total of 23 925 PCR tests. This represents a 44.5% increase from the 16 561 conducted during the previous week.”
Government ministries except for the Ministry of Health and Child Care have reduced their staff to 10 percent, with the majority being forced to work from home.
This is in a bid to reduce congestion as top Government officials continue to test positive for the pandemic while three ministers have so far succumbed to Covid-19.
“As per Public Services Commission Circular number 2 of 2021, a further reduction to 10% of civil servants outside the essential services employees is now in place,” said Muswere.
Government is also formulating a vaccination framework.
“A lot of public interest around the subject of a vaccination programme for Zimbabwe has been expressed. We are pleased to advice that a Draft Vaccination Framework Programme has been developed. Once modalities are in place it will be shared with the nation.”
Muswere encouraged people comply with preventive measures put in place by Government in the fight against Covid-19.
“The Lockdown is not an easy intervention for the nation. Government notes economic and social challenges associated with Level 4 lockdown. The decision is the most effective intervention,” he said.
“We encourage everyone to play their part. We applaud the majority of Zimbabweans who have taken it upon themselves to comply with the preventive and protective measure. This is not about the police. It is about our individual lives and that of others.”
Police have also been scaling up operations as people were becoming increasingly less complaint to the restrictive measures. This according to Muswere, led to the arrest of 16 286 in one week.
Meanwhile, Government is set to review allowances for frontline health workers dealing with Covid-19 patients.
“Government, through the National Taskforce, owes health workers a debt of gratitude,” said Muswere.
“Those who work in the Red Zones which deal with the care of the Covid-19 patients will have their allowances reviewed with the intention of compensating them adequately.”
A number of frontline workers have contracted Covid-19 in the line of duty.
Government is in the process of employing an additional 500 nurses to relieve the health sector which has been marred by absenteeism as a large number of nurses are undergoing treatment, or in isolation having been in contact with those with Covid-19.
“500 new nursing posts are being created to augment staff compliments at treatment centres,” said Muswere. Nhau/Indaba