By A Correspondent| Philanthropic traditional healer, Sekuru Banda has urged government to ensure there is one channel of communication for all COVID-19 cases.

Sekuru Banda was responding to several statements from companies suspending operations on the grounds of employees testing positive for COVID-19.

Several service providers and businesses including OK Zimbabwe, CIMAS, PSMAS, CABS and NMB Bank among others have suspended operations to allow co-workers of infected staff to be tested while premises are being disinfected in line with Ministry of Health and Child Care guidelines.

“Companies should not be allowed to announce COVID-19 cases recorded at their premises, the way it is being done is causing unnecessary panic,

“Announcement of COVID-19 cases should remain the sole responsibility of government through the relevant Ministry of Health and Child Care as has been the case since the beginning of the pandemic

“Social media is awash with statements from various corporates and it is not doing any good to country efforts to combat the coronavirus pandemic,” said Sekuru Banda.

He added that the announcements in most cases are being made based on rapid tests which he said are not conclusive.

“Most of these announced cases by companies are based on rapid tests which in most cases are conclusive, some of these people go on to test negative after PCR tests yet the message would have go out that there is a positive case at this and that company. They must desist from that practice as it making people lose hope,” added Sekuru Banda.

He accused some companies of taking advantage of COVID-19 positive cases to close down operations, urging them to be truthful and not cause unnecessary anxiety in the country.

Total number of COVID-19 confirmed cases stands at 2704 and 36 deaths. Recovered cases stands at 524.