Blessings Chidakwa Herald Correspondent
Zimbabwe now has five confirmed cases of people who tested positive for Covid-19, Health and Child Care permanent secretary Dr Agnes Mahomva said in statement.
Dr Mahomva said out of 165 tests conducted as of yesterday, five are positive, 159 negative and one inconclusive.
“The ministry would like to report that today (yesterday) the National Microbiological Reference Laboratory tested 65 samples. Two of these tested positive for Covid-19.
“Among the 65 samples tested today, was the repeat test for the sample from the individual whom we reported previously as having received an inconclusive result. Today he tested negative for covid-19. Therefore, to date, Zimbabwe has five confirmed cases of covid-19, including one death,” she said.
Dr Mahomva said the Ministry would also like to advise the nation that the third case they reported on Wednesday was the following day admitted for treatment under isolation at Beatrice Road Infectious Diseases Hospital.
“He remains in a stable condition and is assisting our teams in intensified surveillance through contact tracing. The ministry continues to be on high alert to the Covid-19 pandemic,” she said.
Dr Mahomva said her ministry would like to remind everyone to remain vigilant in the prevention of Covid-19 and practise good personal hygiene including washing hands with soap and water frequently or use of an alcohol-based hand rub.
She also advised covering one’s nose and mouth with tissue paper or flexed elbow when coughing and sneezing and avoiding close contact with people who are sick, coughing or sneezing.
Dr Mahomva said all non-essential travel was still strongly discouraged.
According to WHO, as of March 25, more than 410 000 confirmed cases of Covid-19 and more than 18 000 deaths have been reported globally.
The European region has reported the highest number of confirmed cases and deaths of more than 220 000 and 11 000 respectively.