Eighteen people tested positive for COVID-19 this Monday bringing the total number of positive cases to 734.

In a COVID-19 daily update, the Ministry of Health and Child Care said the people who tested positive include sixteen returnees and two local cases.

“Eighteen cases tested positive for COVID-19 today. These include sixteen returnees from South Africa and two local cases who are isolated,” the Ministry said.

The Ministry also announced the death of a 54-year-old male.

“Today we regret to report a facility death of a male aged 54, from Bulawayo province who tested positive yesterday with no history of travel and had comorbidities.”

16 recoveries were also reported, twelve from Harare, two from Masvingo, and another two from Midlands.

The total number of confirmed cases stands at 734, with 197 recoveries, 528 active cases, and 9 deaths since the beginning of the outbreak in Zimbabwe on the 20th of March 2020.

The Ministry of Health and Child Care has also called on Zimbabweans to report any returning citizens who abscond quarantine.

“To protect yourself and others, report to health authorities any suspicious returning citizens or residents that might not have gone through quarantine.”

This comes at a time when President Emmerson Mnangagwa has expressed concern over the number of returnees who are absconding from quarantine facilities and has also urged Zimbabweans to be on the lookout for returning residents who do not have COVID-19 clearance certificates.