Zim confirms third Covid-19 case

Harare (New Ziana) – Zimbabwe registered a third case of coronavirus on Wednesday, a man who had contact with the country’s second Covid-19 patient, health authorities said.

In a statement, the Ministry of Health and Child Care said one of the 15 people who had contact with the second confirmed Covid-19 victim – who has since died – had tested positive for the disease.

“The Ministry would like to advise the nation that the second case of Covid-19 who deceased yesterday (Monday) at Wilkins Hospital was buried today (Tuesday) under supervision by the Ministry of Health and Child Care in line with guidance from the Public Health Act (15:17).

“As of today (Tuesday), the number of Cvid-19 confirmed cases in the country is now three. Today, the National Microbiology Reference Laboratory tested a total 15 specimens, the majority being from contacts of the deceased case. One male tested positive for Covid-19, more details to be provided later,” said the Ministry.

This becomes the first internally transmitted infection. In the earlier two cases, the patients are suspected to have been infected outside the country.

The ministry said another suspected Covid-19 case had been reported in Masvingo, and had been tested but results were not yet out. The patient has been put in self-isolation.

“The Ministry would also like to report that today (Tuesday) an adult, pregnant woman presented at Masvingo Provincial Hospital with a history of dry cough, shortness of breath, chest pains but no fever. She had a history of having travelled to South Africa on the 28th of February 2020 and returned on the 7th of March 2020.

“The local Rapid Response team went to assess her and advised that she be put under self isolation at home. Specimens have been collected for Covid-19 testing and we will give an update of the results,” the ministry said.

New Ziana