Own Correspondent|HIGHLANDERS FC top supporter Lubelihle Maphosa, succumbed to an asthma attack at the United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) on Sunday.

Her death comes at a time when health practitioners are calling on more attention to be given to anyone with asthma in the wake of the deadly Coronavirus outbreak.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recently listed asthma as a condition that make someone “more vulnerable to becoming severely ill with the virus.”

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America also lists asthma as a chronic medical conditions which makes one more at risk, noting that asthmatics should “take precautions when any type of respiratory illness is spreading in their community.”

Government in Zimbabwe has also announced that criteria for those who qualify for Coronavirus testing has been widened to include all patients with fever in health facilities.

The extended measures were announced by Vice President Kembo Mohadi in a detailed briefing to the media at State House last night in his capacity as the chairperson of the Ad hoc Committee Inter-Ministerial Taskforce on Covid-19.

VP Mohadi said all cases of pneumonia admitted in hospitals (public and private), all people admitted in hospitals with chronic diseases such as asthma, hypertension, diabetes and heart diseases now qualified for Covid-19 testing.

Health officials from the UBH did not disclose if any Covid-19 tests were conducted on the deceased football lover.

Popularly known as Luba, the 35-year-old rarely missed Highlanders’ matches and was a member of the club’s Team Away group that travelled for all Bosso’s games outside Bulawayo.

Bosso fans, saddened that they will not give their “heroine” a befitting send-off due to the Covid-19 lockdown, described Maphosa as a sociable character, whom they were going to miss.

Highlanders chairman Kenneth Mhlophe said their thoughts are with Maphosa’s family.

“Our deepest condolences to Maphosa’s family and her friends. It is never easy to lose a loved one and as Highlanders, our thoughts are with the family and friends during such difficult times,” said Mhlophe.

Maphosa is survived by two sons Tadi (6) and Sipho (13).

She will be buried in Bulawayo on Thursday.

Mourners are gathered at number 43 Lerine Road, Trenance.