Author: Michael Gwarisa

Editor for HealthTimes, Zimbabwe's leading online health news publication

#JUSTIN: Gvt Agrees To Shut Schools Due To Covid-19

Michael Gwarisa

THE Zimbabwean government has genuflected to the demands of parents and stakeholders in the education sector to close schools in the wake of the Coronavirus (Covid-19) which has wrecked havoc across the globe. By Michael Gwarisa Even though Zimbabwe is yet to record a single case, President, Emmerson Mnangagwa said schools would be closed on March, 24, 2020 to allow for orderly closure of the institutions. Following concerns from parents, as well representations by the educational sector, government has decided that all schools and tertiary institutions (colleges, polytechinics and universities)…

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Police Vetting For Sunday School Teachers To Curb Child Sexual Abuse

Michael Gwarisa
ZCC Liason Officer Rev Samuel Sifelani

ZIMBABWE churches have introduced police vetting for aspiring Sunday School teachers in a bid to reduce growing cases of Child Sexual abuse in churches, HealthTimes can reveal. By Michael Gwarisa This revelation was made by Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC) Liaison Officer, Reverend Samuel Sifelani at the Women and Girls Symposium in Epworth recently. Our goal is to ensure that the church becomes a refuge for people facing abuse. However, sexual abuse has also become an issue in the church where people are facing various forms of abuse including sexual…

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DEAF Zim Embarks On ART Defaulter Tracking Drive

Michael Gwarisa

DEAF Zimbabwe Trust (DZT) has kick-started a community Anteretroviral Treatment (ART) defaulter tracking campaign aimed at reducing default rates and increasing uptake of the live saving drugs amongst people living with HIV. By Michael Gwarisa Speaking to HealthTimes, Veronica Mwanza from Deaf Zimbabwe Trust said the project also has a a disability component where they folloup and offer support to people with various disabilities. We do what we call Defaulter tracking and psycho social support and adherence support to people living with HIV in selected areas that the project cover…

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#CORONAVIRUS: Fly Emirates Suspends Harare/Zambia Flights

Michael Gwarisa

EMIRATES Airlines says it will be suspending flights between Zimbabwe and Zambia effective March, 20, 2020 at the back of the prevailing Coronavirus (Covid-19) which has literally brought business across the globe to a halt. A trade update by the airline indicated that the suspension will last for two months. “We wish to advise the travel trade that due to the current challenging global conditions, Emirates Airline is compelled to suspend flights EK 713/714 (LUN/HRE) for the period 20 March to 20 May 2020. “As such, flights Harare-Lusaka-Dubai (EK714) and…

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#JUSTIN: Zambia Records First Coronavirus Cases

Michael Gwarisa

ZAMBIA’S President, His Excellency, Edgar Lungu has announced that his country has recorded its first two Coronavirus (Covid-19) cases. By Michael Gwarisa President Lungu said, “we wish to confirm Zambia’s first 2 cases of COVID-19. The patients are a Zambian couple that travelled to France with their two children for 10 days. “Our surveillance system was able to detect that they transited through high risk COVID-19 countries. The couple has been isolated and receiving treatment in Chilanga. I want to salute our gallant men and women carrying out surveillance at…

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South Africa Coronavirus Cases Shoot Through The Roof

Michael Gwarisa
Dr Zwelini Mkhize

SOUTH Africa could be battling to contain the spread of Coronavirus (Covid-19), amidst indications that the number of confirmed cases in the neighbouring country has  risen to 116.  By Michael Gwarisa Even though South Africa recorded Coronavirus later than Egypt, Algeria and other African countries, the sporadic rise in the Covid-19 cases in the Southern African country makes it the second highest country in Africa by in infection rate after Egypt which has 196 cases. South Africa Department of Health on Wednesday morning confirmed that  31 new cases were reported…

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Confusion Rocks Vic Falls Tourist Coronavirus Case

Michael Gwarisa

ZIMBABWE has once again been thrown into abyss of confusion following conflicting statements by the ministries of Health and that of Tourism relating to a case whereby a United Kingdom (UK) tourist is reported to have tested positive for Coronavirus (Covid-19) upon arrival in the UK a few days after leaving Zimbabwe. By Michael Gwarisa The bewilderment comes hot on the heels of a Post Cabinet Media briefing where Tourism and Hospitality Industries minister, Honorable Mangaliso Ndlovu told Journalists that the lady in question was yet to be tested contrary…

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#CORONAVIRUS: Close Schools and Ban Public Gatherings

Michael Gwarisa
Members from various churches gather at the women and girls symposium

HARARE City Health department director, Dr Prosper Chonzi says government should consider banning public gatherings and close school classes if it is serious about ending the Coronavirus (Covid-19). By Michael Gwarisa Giving his daily update on the Covid-19 which has already claimed 7019 lives and infected 173344 others according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr Chonzi said Zimbabwe continue with laid-back approach it is taking towards Covid-19 and it can’t be business as usual. We have not had a confirmed case as yet but our preparedness levels must be…

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RETRACTION: Use of Wrong Picture In The Story “Hotel Boots Out Coronavirus Suspect Soon After Arrival From China…Tow More Cases Admitted”

Michael Gwarisa

WE would like to apologise for the use of a wrong picture in the our article “Hotel Boots Out Coronavirus Suspect Soon After Arrival From China…Tow More Cases Admitted” We would like to state that the Asian nationals in the picture  wearing masks are not the Covid-19 suspects in the article but a picture from our files and for that we would like to issue our formal apology to the family. We have since deleted the picture from our website and all our social media platforms. Any convenience caused is…

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#JUSTIN: Hotel Boots Out Coronavirus Suspect Soon After Arrival From China…Two More Cases Admitted At Wilkins

Michael Gwarisa

A local hotel has turned away a female Chinese national who had just arrived in the country for suspicions of Coronavirus (Covid-19) infection, HealthTimes has learnt. By Michael Gwarisa The lady  according to the Harare City Health department was picked up along Bishop Gaul in Belvedere Harare with her bags after she was turned away from where she wanted to book. Harare City Health department director, Dr Prosper Chonzi said they today admitted two Covid-19 suspected cases, a lady and a 52 year old Chinese man who had come in…

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