The first confirmed case of coronavirus – formally known as COVID-19 – was reported in Zimbabwe on Friday, 20 March 2020, when a man returned to his home in the tourist resort town of Victoria Falls after returning from Britain over the weekend.
Zimbabwe’s first coronavirus case
The news was shared by Zimbabwe’s health minister, Obadiah Moyo on state television. According to Moyo, it is “the first case of COVID-19 in Zimbabwe”. He added:
“The patient is a 38-year-old Caucasian man […] who had travelled to Manchester in the UK on 7 March 2020 and returned to his home in Victoria Falls on 15 March via South Africa”.
Earlier this week, the Zimbabwean government announced plans to prevent the virus from spreading in the country. Public and sporting events have been cancelled and schools are in the process of closing.
However, Zimbabwe’s public health system has suffered from a lack of equipment for years and might not be able to deal effectively with an outbreak.
In addition, the system came under strain in 2019 when doctors staged a strike at state hospitals; some were earning less than $200 per month.
First deaths in Africa
The first COVID-19 related death in sub-Saharan Africa was recorded on Friday, 20 March 2020. A 50-year-old man from Gabon and a 62-year-old woman from Burkina Faso passed away this week; both had diabetes.
Coronavirus updates from Africa
South Africa’s travel restrictions
As reported by AFP on Friday, the total known cases across all of Africa stands at more than 900 cases. With 240 confirmed cases, South Africa currently has the highest numbers in sub-Saharan Africa.
South African Airways (SAA) has since suspended all regional and international flights until the end of May after government implemented travel bans to curb the spread of COVID-19 infections in South Africa.
In addition, gatherings of more than 100 people were also banned and schools will remain closed until after Easter. Major cultural and sporting events have also been cancelled. No alcohol is to be served after 18:00.
Religious gatherings in Nigeria
In Lagos, Nigeria, religious leaders were struggling to prevent worshipers from entering the Zawiyat Sofwat El-Islam mosque when a crowd of a more than a 1 000 showed up at the gates.
The service lasted only 30 minutes and the chief imam reportedly urged worshipers to observe Sunday services at their homes.
Flights suspended in Ethiopia
Ethiopian officials announced three new cases Friday which brings the country’s total confirmed cases to nine. Following the announcement, Ethiopian Airlines confirmed that it would suspend flights to 30 countries.
The airline, the continent’s biggest, has been under pressure to restrict travel for some time.
Also read – COVID-19 update: Latest confirmed cases in South Africa at 240
Source: The South African Read More
