‘No need to panic’

…Chadzamira calls for calm as Masvingo records 1^st Covid-19
positive case

Moses Ziyambi

The Minister of State for
Masvingo Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Ezra Chadzamira has said the
province has capacity to handle the coronavirus pandemic as government was
equipping more isolation centres with all critical technology.

Chadzamira, who also chairs the
Masvingo Provincial Covid-19 Taskforce, made the remarks to TellZim News in the
wake of the province recording its first confirmed case of Covid-19 on
Wednesday, May 20.

“It is regrettable that one of us
in the province has tested positive for coronavirus but we remain strong in our
resolve to fight the further spread of the virus in local communities. I am
glad to say our isolation centre in Rujeko is now ready for any eventuality and
we will soon be done equipping the other isolation centre at Chiredzi General
Hospital.

“All these isolation centres will
have all the standard equipment expected of such facilities including
ventilators. Besides, all hands are on the deck enforcing the lockdown and
educating the people on what they need to do to limit their chances of
contracting the virus. It is against this background that we call upon people
to remain calm and to stop practicing fear-mongering,” said Chadzamira.

He said people should continue to
cooperate with law enforcement and health authorities that are working hard to
fight the pandemic.

“Let us work together with our
law enforcement agencies, let us practice social distancing all the time, let us
stop all unnecessary travel and let us practice good personal hygiene all the
time,” said Chadzamira.

The first local case is reported
to be a female who was recently repatriated from a neighbouring country and had been
quarantined at Masvingo Teachers’ College.

The patient has now been moved to
Rujeko Isolation Centre where she is said to be stable with mild symptoms.