Health experts say the drop in the national Covid-19 recovery rate is worrying as it may signal more people are succumbing to the respiratory disease.
In its latest update, the Ministry of Health and Child Care said as of 22 November, the national recovery rate stood at 89.5 percent.
The recovery rate once rose to 95.1 percent around October.
“48 new cases and three deaths reported in the last 24 hours (7 day rolling average. For new cases rises to 56 from 55 yesterday),” said the Ministry of Health and Child Care.
“1 404 PCR tests done today (positive today was 3.4 percent) 47 are local cases and one is a returnee from Zambia”.
Of the new cases, Matabeleland North recorded 28 cases, Bulawayo recorded 11 cases, Mashonaland West four cases, Masvingo three cases while Manicaland and Mashonaland East recorded one case each.
“15 new recoveries reported: National recovery rate stands at 89.5 percent and active cases go up to 702 today,” read the report.
The 15 recoveries were recorded from Bulawayo.
In addition, the Ministry noted that Zimbabwe has recorded 268 deaths.
“As of 22 November 2020, Zimbabwe has no recorded 9 220 cases 8 250 recoveries and 268 deaths”.
The three deaths were recorded in Bulawayo with 2 deaths while Masvingo recorded one fatality.
Contacted for a comment, Mpilo Central Hospital Acting Chief Executive Officer, Professor Solwayo Ngwenya warned that the country was likely to record more deaths. “The current wave is characterised by a falling recovery rate and a rising positive rate. These are ominous data details; we are doing everything in favour of this terrible virus. The stage is set for mounting deaths,” said Professor Ngwenya.
“Remember the much-celebrated recovery rate was 95 percent or so. Basically, more people are dying and more will die since the population is largely relaxed and not paying the due care and respect to this terrible deadly virus.”
