Coronavirus: Zimbabwe confirms index case, Rwanda tally hits 17

The coronavirus was confirmed in the Chinese city of Wuhan in late December 2019. Cases have since been confirmed in over scores of countries across the globe.

The World Health Organisation, WHO, has since declared it a pandemic. WHO chief Tedros Ghebereyesus said whiles China had a robust health system to detect and control, his outfit remained concerned about the virus entering country’s with weak systems.

With about 34 African countries currently with recorded cases, governments continue to roll out increasingly robust measures to halt the spread and to contain the pandemic which has claimed a number of lives.

Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that range from the common cold to MERS coronavirus, which is Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus and SARS, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus.

In this article, we will share the latest developments as authorities implement measures to contain the spread of the virus, especially on the African continent. There is a flurry of restrictions across Africa as governments take measures to deal with the outbreak.

Zimbabwe index case; Rwanda figures rise

/b>

Authorities in Zimbabwe have confirmed the first case of coronavirus becoming the 38th African country to be infected.

A statement from the Ministry of Health and Child Care said the patient was a 38 year-old Caucasian resident of Victoria Falls. He has a recent travel history to Manchester in the United Kingdom.

He arrived in the country on March 15 via South Africa. The statement adds that he self quarantined and subsequently reported symptoms leading to a test being run at a facility in the capital Harare.

Zimbabwe is the fifth southern African country infected. The government had earlier this week imposed a number of restrictions with the aim of keeping out the virus.

Defence Minister had last week alleged that the virus was God’s punishment on countries that had imposed economic sanctions on the country. She specifically cited the United States and President Trump.

#Zimbabwe records index case #coronavirus
- 38 yo Caucasian resident of Victoria Falls
- Has recent UK travel history
- Arrive March 15 via South Africa
- Self quarantined, reported symptoms
- 38th African country infected, 5th in the region
- Govt imposed restrictions this week https://t.co/zlqrA3dnBS pic.twitter.com/RWNgfxa1Fr

— Abdur Rahman Alfa Shaban (@AlfaAfrican) March 20, 2020