By A Correspondent- The Ministry of Health and Child Care has announced that confirmed COVID-19 positive cases have risen to 17 after three Bulawayo residents were tested recently after exhibiting symptoms of the disease.

In its coronavirus (COVID-19) update: 13 April 2020, the Ministry of Health said 35 samples were tested today bringing the cumulative tests conducted to 604, of which 587 returned negative while 17 tested positive. Deaths from the disease are at three.

Below is the statement in part: Today, the National Microbiology Reference Laboratory tested 35 samples, and all were negative for COVID-19. Additionally, the National TB Reference Laboratory in Bulawayo tested 6 samples and three were positive for COVID-19.

Therefore, to date, Zimbabwe now has seventeen confirmed cases, including three deaths…

Case #15 is a 34-year-old female resident of Bulawayo. She has no recent history of travel or known contact with a confirmed case. She was referred for assessment by the local Rapid Response Team (RRT) after she was found to have a fever on routine screening. As part of our intensified surveillance, samples were collected for testing. She is stable, with mild disease and is self-isolating at home.

Case #16 is a 52-year-old female resident of Bulawayo, who was a direct contact of the late, case #11. She consulted with the local RRT presenting with a 3-day history of headache. The RRT visited her at home for assessment and collected samples for testing. She is stable, with mild disease and is self-isolating at home.

The Ministry continues to be on HIGH alert to the COVID-19 pandemic and would like to remind the nation that, the most effective ways to protect yourself and others against COVID-19 are to practise good personal hygiene and exercise social distancing.