HARARE, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- Zimbabwe is experiencing moderate local transmission of COVID-19, according to new guidelines published by the World Health Organization (WHO), an official has said.

Addressing a post-cabinet media briefing Tuesday, Zimbabwean Information Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said following the categorization, the WHO recommends citizens in the country to continue applying individual precautionary measures such as hand hygiene, cough etiquette, isolating at home if unwell and the wearing of masks, among other preventative measures.

The public is also recommended to continue practicing physical social distancing and avoid crowded places, close-contact settings, and enclosed spaces with poor ventilation.

According to the categorization, child care services, primary and secondary schools in the country should remain open with adequate safety and surveillance measures in place, while e-learning at tertiary institutions is encouraged.

Sporting and other social gatherings should also be evaluated using risk-based approaches.

"The World Health Organization has published new guidelines to assist countries in the management of COVID-19 cases.

"The guidelines place Zimbabwe in Category CT2, which includes countries experiencing moderate local transmission.

Mutsvangwa said the Cabinet notes with satisfaction that Zimbabwe is already implementing the WHO recommendations and will continue to strengthen the measures while encouraging members of the public to strictly adhere to them.

She said the country had recorded a cumulative total of 558 cases of COVID-19 at learning institutions across the country since they reopened in September. This is an increase from 332 cases that were reported last week, out of a population of 4.5 million students and 221,272 teachers.

Zimbabwe is recording a surge in COVID-19 cases after the reopening of schools and borders.

As of Tuesday, the country had recorded 11,358 COVID-19 cases, 9,554 recoveries, and 309 deaths.