Karen Mhlanga, H-Metro Reporter
The Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) has denied reports that cases of Coronavirus have been detected in the country.
The virus now referred to as COVID-19 has killed more than 1 000 people in mainland China.
In a Press Statement, the MoHCC dismissed reports carried by some sections of the media where it is alleged that the health Minister confirmed Coronavirus cases in the country.
“The website quotes an interim Minister of Health and Child Care as having addressed a press conference to announce this fake news.
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“Zimbabwe has no Interim Minister of Health and Child Care. No such press conference was ever held by the MoHCC,” reads the statement.
The Ministry urged members of the public to ignore the fake news.
According to the ministry, as of Saturday no cases of Coronavirus (COVID-19) were detected in the country.
“All those who want to report on Covid-19 are advised to seek for informed information from the responsible authorities who is the minister or his permanent secretary to avoid publishing falsehoods,” said the MoHCC.
The ministry has also guaranteed adequate measures to respond to the outbreak.
“Adequate measures have been put in place to prevent, detect and respond to the outbreak and that all health workers are on alert and have been trained under the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) program to respond effectively to this and other outbreaks,” said the MoHCC.
According to the statement, authorities are keeping record of all people coming into the country from Covid-19 affected countries.
Besides undergoing a screening process upon entry, people travelling from China will be provided with health care education on Covid-19 followed by daily assessment on their health status.
The MoHCC is also working with the Chinese Embassy to postpone any visits to China unless absolutely necessary until the scourge has been declared over.
– HMETRO
