Nokuthaba Dlamini
Victoria Falls, under Hwange District, has recorded a surge in Covid-19 cases since the beginning of the festive season with health authorities attributing the development to increased tourism activities.
The tourism capital is currently monitoring 33 active cases of people between the ages of 20 and 40 years.
Matabeleland North Provincial Medical director, Munekayi Padingani, said a close monitoring was being made in an effort to control the highest number reported since March.
“In the province, Hwange district has seen a high record of Covid-19 cases since Christmas,” Padingani said.
“As you know, Victoria Falls being a destination for holidays leads in the positive cases detected. This is now Christmas and New Year time when people want to go on holidays hence the high cases of Covid-19 through guests booked in hotels.”
Padingani further said: “The town also has two border posts nearby (Kazungula and Victoria Falls). We have people that cross to Zambia and these are the contributions of the jump of cases.”
He urged community members and travellers to minimise the spread by following Covid-19 guidelines.
“Since last week, we have been reporting cases every day of between one and two and these also include a number of returnees but most of these were local transmissions,” said Padingani.
“The message hasn’t changed; people should take note. Physical distance of one to two meters apart in public, and if you are not feeling well you should not go to work and if you suspect you have contracted the disease you should not go to the hospital. Remember to put on your mask and wash your hands with running water and soap frequently and if you don’t have them, you can use hand sanitisers.”
Padingani added: “We would like to urge our community members to avoid going to hospital if they are suspicious of Covid-19. Our rapid response team will immediately attend to them so that they immediately implement the necessary protective measures.”
As of December 29, Matabeleland North, according to the Ministry of Health and Child Care has 92 active cases drawn from the seven districts.
The province has since March, recorded three deaths and 438 recoveries.
