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Herald Reporter
Zimbabwe recorded 111 new suspected cholera cases, and nine laboratory confirmed results.
Of the cases, Chitungwiza reported 50, which was the highest number.
Other cases were reported in Buhera 19, Gutu 19, Mutare 6, Bikita 3, Masvingo 3, Chegutu 2, Chipinge 2, Makoni 2, Chiredzi 2, Harare 1, Zaka 1 and Bindura 1.
So far, 43 districts have reported cases across the country.
As of yesterday, Zimbabwe has 121 hospitalised cholera cases, with three people hospitalised in Chiredzi, Zaka 2, Gutu 15, Bikita 3, Buhera 45, Chipinge 14, Mutare Rural 16, Chimanimani 4, Makoni 2, Beatrice Road Infectious Diseases Hospital in Harare 3, Chitungwiza City 5, Thorngroove in Bulawayo 1, Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe 1, Chegutu 3, Mhondoro 3, and Bindura 1.
But the recovery rate is at an impressive 97 percent.
As of yesterday, Zimbabwe has recorded 5 788 suspected cholera cases, 1 044 confirmed cases, 5 509 recoveries, 38 confirmed deaths and 120 suspected deaths.
Recently, Cabinet approved a raft of measures aimed at addressing the cause of the cholera outbreak.
Cabinet also approved that doctors be deployed to visit all cholera treatment centres in hotspots, while more staff was to be mobilised to support the cholera treatment centres.
Further, Cabinet approved the setting up of cholera treatment camps and oral rehydration points closer to the community while boreholes would be drilled, and capacity building of traditional and religious leaders on public health measures to control cholera intensified.
In Buhera district, one of the worst hit, the Government said all funerals should be supervised and that cholera education would be intensified in schools.
Speaking after the Cabinet meeting held on October 17, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Jenfan Muswere, said Cabinet had also approved measures that would curtail the increase in new cholera cases.
“Cabinet in general approved that there be intensified risk communication and community engagement in the cholera response,” he said.
Dr Muswere said cholera test kits would be sourced for rural community centres while all boreholes would be fully equipped.
All deaths are expected to be documented and burials be supervised by healthcare workers.
Fielding questions from the media, Health and Child Care Minister Dr Douglas Mombeshora recently said: “We have activated our cholera response nationwide even in districts where we have not recorded any cases.
“We are encouraging all provinces to scale up their awareness campaigns in the communities through traditional leaders and church leaders.”
Dr Mombeshora said unlike Covid-19, cholera was not a contagious disease.
One contracts it when they eat fecal matter, adding that to defeat it, basic hygiene was needed.
Online Reporter