Chido Mbewu / Information, Publicity And Broadcasting Services Permanent secretary Ndavaningi Nick Mangwana, announced today, seemingly allaying public fears over spiraling Covid-19 infections that only a small percentage of patients will need hospital beds.

There has been a sense of panic by citizens over the past few days, as the country recorded higher cases of Covid-19, with fears that the government’s struggling health system will not be able to provide essentials such as Hospital beds and ventilators.

Wrote Mangwana, “A very small percentage of Covid19 patients need use of inpatient services. An even smaller percentage end up needing ICU beds. Most are cared for at home. In Byo for example we have total capacity to admit 196 patients, we admitted 22, remaining with capacity to admit 174 more.”

“Evidence show that, 85% of patients will not need hospitalisation, they will self manage and recover at home. 10% will need minimal management at a medical facility, whilst only 5% will require intensive care.”