Farai Dziva|In its latest report, the Ministry of Health and Childcare has revealed that Zimbabwe’ s case number 36 has no known contact with a person with respiratory problems.

See the Health Ministry’s latest report:

To date, more than 4 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 and more than 270 000 deaths have been reported from more than 210 countries/ territories globally.

The Ministry would like to report that today [10 May 2020], 720 rapid screening tests and 279 PCR tests were done in the public sector.

All the PCR tests done in Harare today were negative for COVID-19.

Therefore, to date, Zimbabwe has thirty-six confirmed cases, including nine recoveries and four deaths.

Cumulatively, a total of 11 664 rapid screening tests and 9 872 PCR diagnostic tests have been done to date…

Case #36 reported yesterday is a 30-year-old male resident of Chegutu district, with no recent history of travel, or any known contact with a person with respiratory symptoms.

He was referred for PCR testing after testing positive on a screening test conducted at his workplace using a Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT).

He is asymptomatic, self-isolating at home, with mild disease.

Following the COVID-19 diagnosis, the Ministry is now seized with contact tracing being assisted by the patient himself.

Today, surveillance teams from the Ministry identified 7 of his contacts and these will be tested for COVID-19 in line with our intensified surveillance strategy.

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, always wear a face mask in public places and exercise social distancing.

For assistance, please call the COVID-19 tollfree hotline number: 2019.