AT least 506 novel Coronavirus cases are under surveillance in Zimbabwe while a special unit is being set up at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals to serve as a national command centre for mitigation measures.

Health and Child Care Minister Obadiah Moyo and his Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services counterpart Minister Monica Mutsvangwa confirmed the developments and said every measure is being taken to ensure that constant monitoring is done on all ports of entry.

Returnees from the worst hit areas in China are undergoing a self-quarantine of two weeks at home, and are not to go to public places, offices, or any gatherings.
They are monitored for 21 days.

China’s Health Commission reported on Tuesday that there were 632 recoveries and 425 deaths nationwide.

During the SARS outbreak, 349 people died in mainland China.

Scores of cases have also been confirmed in several countries in the Asia-Pacific region as well as Europe, North America and the Middle East.

Presenting the first meeting Cabinet Decision Matrix of the year in Harare yesterday, Minister Mutsvangwa, said:

“Cabinet received an update on the new scourge on the health front, namely, the Coronavirus, which was initially discovered in the 1960s and has now claimed hundreds of lives in China in the latest outbreak.

Among the symptoms of the viral infection are running nose, severe cough, fever, and difficulties in breathing.

“The Minister of Health and Child Care informed Cabinet that 506 persons are currently under surveillance in Zimbabwe for possible infection with the virus.

The Minister also indicated that there is currently no vaccine against the virus, and emphasised the need for personal, family and community hygiene.”

Minister Mutsvangwa re-emphasised that there are no confirmed cases of Coronavirus infection so far in Zimbabwe, although 506 people are under surveillance.-State media