Zimbabwe is now facing two life-threatening outbreaks in illnesses at the same time with the Gastrointestinal Disease (GIT) troubling Bulawayo amid a global pandemic, COVID-19.
Currently, Zimbabwe has recorded 787 COVID-19 cases, with nine deaths.
The GIT outbreak in the Old Luveve, New Luveve, Cowdray Park and Gwabalanda suburbs of Bulawayo has claimed nine lives with a total of 1 500 suspected cases according to the Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Monica Mutsvangwa.
“The increase in the number of (COVID-19) cases is attributed mainly to the influx of returning citizens. Most of the returnees are from South Africa, which has recorded the highest number of COVID-19 cases in Africa,” Mutsvangwa said.
“The (GIT) outbreak is attributed to the 144-hour water-shedding regime as well as the vandalism of outfall sewers.”
The broadcasting Minister Mutsvangwa said four treatment stations have since been set up and Rapid Response Teams are currently conducting door to door inspections to determine the extent of the GIT outbreak.
“Cabinet has directed Treasury to immediately avail financial resources in order to contain the outbreak and address the water challenge in Bulawayo,” she said.
“Plans are also underway to increase raw water supplies to the City of Bulawayo through pumping water from Mtshabezi, Insiza, Inyakhuni dams, as well as the Epping Forest and Rochester Aquifers.”
Bulawayo, which has faced consistent drought is left with three dams operating out of six reservoirs which normally supply the city and this has resulted in water challenges.
Concerning COVID-19, the government will conduct a three-week survey beginning 29 June 2020, to determine the level of COVID-19 infection in the population according to Mutsvangwa.
“The exercise will entail national cross-sectional sero-epidemiological survey in the estimated sample size of about 2 000 households (average size of five members per household) across the nation,” she said.
“Having received representations on the high regulatory costs for licensing medicines and on the approval processes for medicines used in Zimbabwe from the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) and the Medical Research Council of Zimbabwe (MRCZ), Cabinet resolved to waive the requisite regulatory fees for the licensing of traditional medicines for COVID-19 projects.”
“Concerning the opening of schools and the June 2020 examinations, preparations are on course. Schools have made adequate masks for use during the examination period.”