adminHealth Reporter
ILLEGAL entry points into Zimbabwe could reverse national efforts to screen, test and quarantine travellers coming from countries with many confirmed Covid-19 cases.
Government’s latest policy on returnees is that they are supposed to undergo compulsory quarantine for up to 21 days.
Should they test positive, the returnees are immediately isolated and receive treatment, while contact tracing is commenced.
Those who test negative are released on the eighth day, after which they are expected to complete their 21-day quarantine period from their homes.
Mashonaland Central provincial epidemiology and disease control officer Dr Stanley Tapesana yesterday said it was crucial that everyone coming into the country be screened for Covid-19 to minimise the spread of the disease.
He said this during an exchange of experiences meeting between provincial health workers and a team of visiting Chinese anti-Covid-19 experts, who are on a national tour.
Dr Tapesana said in Mashonaland Central, the most common undesignated entry points were in Mbire, Mt Darwin and Rushinga.
“All five formal points of entry are closed although they are all equipped to screen, isolate and respond to Covid-19 suspects,” he said.
Infection control specialist Associate Professor, Dr Li Chunhui, commended the province for its efforts. “In the case of Mashonaland Central, this province has done a good job in terms of case monitoring management and prevention and I think they deserve a praise,” said Dr Li.
“For further improvements, we suggest to all the facilities that we have visited that the ward for suspected patients need to be single rooms. Suspected cases cannot be gathered together in one room.”
Online Reporter