Zim woman detained over COVID-19

Harare (New Ziana) – A Zimbabwean woman who arrived in Harare on Tuesday from the Chinese city of Wuhan, the epicentre of COVID-19, has been detained in isolation at Wilkins Hospital in the capital as a preventative measure against the deadly virus, the Ministry of Health and Child Care has said.

The virus, which has killed nearly 2 000 people and infected thousands others in China and several other countries around the world, has not yet been recorded in Zimbabwe.

The country has put in place tight contingent measures, including isolation and treatment facilities in Harare, Bulawayo and Victoria Falls, to tackle the virus in case of a local outbreak.

Ministry of Health and Child Care director of epidemiology and disease control, Portia Mananganzira said the woman had been taken in for isolation and observation on suspicion of COVID-19 infection.

“Yes we have the case of a 27-year old Zimbabwean who is being held at the Wilkins Hospital’s specialised unit in isolation. She was in Wuhan and passed through Guangzhou where she was certified to be coronavirus negative and has a certificate to show for it,” she said.

“When she arrived, we were aware that she was coming because the Chinese authorities had alerted us and we took the precautionary steps of putting her in isolation. She is presently being monitored by a team of experts, including Chinese physicians. We will keep the nation updated.”

According to the World Health Organisation, in confirmed cases in humans, common symptoms of COVID-19 have been serious respiratory difficulties with fever, coughing and shortness of breath.

Based on current clinical experience, the virus generally presents as pneumonia.

New Ziana