By Own Correspondent
Confirmed cases of COVID 19 in Zimbabwe have reached 24 with 2 recoveries.
A total of 583 tests have been conducted nationwide.
Of the tests done at Harare’s National Microbiology Reference Laboratory on Thursday, one came out positive while all those tested in Bulawayo came out negative.
Bulawayo has 10 confirmed cases, Harare has 9, Mashonaland East has 4 and Matebeleland North has 1.
This brings the number of COVID 19 confirmed cases to 24, three deaths and two recoveries.
According to the World Health Organization, a coronavirus patient must test negative twice to note full recovery.
In a statement, the Health Ministry said it was now using a new testing strategy for COVID 19.
“The Ministry testing has stepped up screening and Diagnostic testing in all provinces in line with the new COVID – 19 testing strategy. A total of 583 tests were done yesterday giving a total of 1 299 screening and diagnostic tests were done to date.
“Of all the PCR tests done in Harare today one was positive for COVID -19, while all PCR tests done in Bulawayo today were negative for COVID -19.”
Four of the cases reported on Wednesday were all contacts of case 16.
“Case number 19 is a four-year-old girl, while cases number 20, 21 and 22 involve 10 years old, 34 years old and 16-year-old female residents of Bulawayo who were in contacts of the case 16. They were tested by the local Rapid Response Team as part of our intensified surveillance and contact tracing for COVID 19. All are stable, on self-isolation at home and with mild disease.
“Case number 23 is a 52-year-old female residency from Bulawayo, who was a contact of case number 15. She is stable, on self-isolation at home and with mild disease.”
Globally 1 914 916 COVID 19 confirmed cases and 123 010 deaths have been recorded.