Health and Child Care Minister, Dr Obadiah Moyo has confirmed Zimbabwe’s first Coronavirus (Covid-19) case. By Michael Gwarisa The minister said the case was identified in Victoria Falls and is currently being monitored in the resort town while other suspected cases are also being checked at various health institutions. Read full statement from ministry below
Read More
A firebrand Zimbabwean teachers union is threatening to pull out its members from school by March 20 should schools not be closed forthwith. By Kudakwashe Pembere The Rural Teachers Union calls for the closure of schools with immediate effect as the country prays to be spared by the menacing Coronavirus Disease. “Almost all schools have a population of more than 100 people who spend the day together. Therefore in the wake of this pandemic, ARTUZ wishes to advice the ministry to immediately close all government schools on the 20th of…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
THE government of Lesotho has with immediate effect suspended in and outbound travel as it seeks to protect its citizens from Coronavirus infection, making it the first country in Africa to issue a travel ban as a result of the pandemic. By Michael Gwarisa In a statement, Lesotho Principal Secretary and National Contact Point, Mrs Motena Tsolo said the move has been driven by the growing cases of human to human Covid-19 infections elsewhere in the world. This correspondence serves to inform the SADC Secretariat that the Lesotho Government has…
Read More
THE United Nations (UN) Secretary General (SG) Mr António Gutteres has called on governments across the globe to ramp up efforts to screen, monitor and manage the Coronavirus outbreak following the World Health Organisation (WHO) announcement of the bug now being a global pandemic. By Michael Gwarisa In a statement, Mr Gutteres called for calm while at the same time vigilance in the face of the pandemic which has already claimed more than 4629 lives in China and outside mainland China. All of us face a common threat – the…
Read More
PARLIAMENTARIANS have raised concerns over Robert Gabriel Mugabe (RGM) International Airport’s preparedness to handle the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) should it come in Zimbabwe. By Kudakwashe Pembere These reveletaions were made during Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Health and Child Care tour of RGM International Airport and Wilkins Infectious Diseases Hospital on Wednesday. Speaking to the media after the tour, Parliament Health Committee chairperson Dr Ruth Labode said she had some concerns including Immigration officers at the airport wearing wrong masks. The officers wore surgical masks which are flat instead of N95…
Read More
A suspected Thailand national who was admitted at Wilkins Hospital after presenting with Coronavirus like symptoms has escaped isolation, a City Health department official has said. By Michael Gwarisa City of Harare City Health Director, Dr Prosper Chonzi said the suspect was smuggled by his father from the hospital. It is sad that the patient in question had to escape treatment. He had completed the incubation process, and upon arrival at the hospital for admission, while medical officers were escorting him to the isolation room, he was whisked away by…
Read More
THE United Kingdom (UK) Government’s Department for International Development is chipping in with £1, 7 million for the setting up of Zimbabwe’s Public Health Emergency Operation Centre as the country prepares for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). By Kudakwashe Pembere The equipment is worth USD2197156.50 and includes computers and protective clothing. Health and Child Care Minister Dr Obadiah Moyo giving his acceptance speech said this gesture showed how the British government is keen on supporting Zimbabwe’s health sector. We are very grateful to you the head of mission. This is exactly…
Read More
THE South Africa health ministry has announced its first positive Coronavirus case. In a statement, the country’s Ministry of Health spokesperson, Popo Maja, said the case was detected by the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) of a 38old male patient who had travelled to Italy with his wife. The patient consulted a private General Practitioner on March 3, with symptoms of fever, headache, malaise, a sore throat and a cough. The practice nurse took swabs and delivered it to the lab where it was tested positive,” said Maja. He…
Read More