Harare (New Ziana)-Zimbabwe has not yet recorded a confirmed case of coronavirus, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa told journalists on Tuesday.

Addressing the media during a post- Cabinet briefing, Mutsvangwa said the country’s health institutions had stepped-up preparations to manage the virus, should it come to Zimbabwe.

“There are no confirmed cases in Zimbabwe as we speak and what the government is doing is to make sure that it is prepared. Test kits have been procured; development partners have also been coming in to make sure we have all the test kits which are required.

“Hospitals have been put on high alert and all travellers from countries with confirmed cases are being screened at all ports of entry and they are put in self isolation,” she said.

She said at least 195 travellers were currently under surveillance by the Ministry of Health and Child Care after arriving in the country from countries which have confirmed coronavirus cases.

In an update on Tuesday the Health and Child Care Ministry said the Thai man who had fled Covid-19 testing at Wilkins Hospital had returned to the health facility to complete the procedure.

The 26 year old man, who recently returned from Thailand, had been referred to Wilkins Hospital on Sunday, but escaped from the Covid-19 referral facility before tests could be carried out.

“We would like to advise the nation that he is now back at Wilkins and will update the nation accordingly,” said the Ministry in a statement.

“Again the Ministry would like to reassure the nation that to date, there is no confirmed case of covid-19 in Zimbabwe,” said the Ministry of Health.

New Ziana