Which is safer prison or home? ZPCS records 90% Covid-19 recovery rate.
The Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) records a 90% Covid-19 recovery rate since March 2020. The services is working hard to contain the spread of the virus in the facilities nationwide.
ZPCS health services department in conjunction with the Ministry of Health have a combination of measures to fight against corona virus. These include frequent testing of inmates and correctional officers.
Despite a spike in new infections since December 2020 the authorities are taking care of the situation well by ensuring the positive patients are treated well. Out of 510 people who were positive, 456 have recovered and 4 have died.
ZPCS director of health Dr Evidence Gaka explains how impressive the recovery rate is. In an interview with The Herald Dr Gaka said,
“All along the numbers of new confirmed cases were stable until December 25. As on the 24th of December 2020 we had a total of 451caese recorded since early last year of which 426 had recovered. For deaths were recorded. As we speak the number of confirmed cases figure has gone up to 510. However, no new deaths were recorded. ”
Dr Gaka also notes that Harare, Bulawayo, Masvingo and Mashonaland East are provinces with the highest infections.
ZPCS records 90% Covid-19 recovery rate.
Measures put in place by ZPCS to curb the spread of the virus include random and regular testing, contact tracing, isolating and giving medication until one recovers. Inmates and staff wear masks and sanitize at all times. Social distancing is also maintained within the facilities.
The issue of accommodation is a vital challenge. This forces officers to live outside the cantonment areas Also ZPCS requires continuous supply of consumables like sanitizers and face mask to maintain their impressive work.