tetano
Editor, Senior Moderator
J Microbiol Immunol Infect. 2020 Apr 13. pii: S1684-1182(20)30096-7. doi: 10.1016/j.jmii.2020.04.002. [Epub ahead of print]
Coronavirus-19 disease (COVID-19): A case series of early suspected cases reported and the implications towards the response to the pandemic in Zimbabwe.
Makurumidze R[SUP]1[/SUP].
Author information
Abstract
Zimbabwe is among the countries that have been identified to be at risk of the COVID-19 pandemic. As of the 15[SUP]th[/SUP] of March 2020, there was no confirmed case of the virus. Official reports of suspected cases were used to appraise the general screening, case management, and the emergency preparedness and response of the country towards the COVID-19 pandemic. In terms of the surveillance and capacity to screen at the ports of entry, the country seems to be faring well. The country might not be screening optimally, considering the number of COVID-19 tests conducted to date and the suspected cases who missed testing. Three of the suspected cases faced mental, social, and psychological consequences due to them being suspected cases of COVID-19. There is a need to enhance the screening process and infrastructure at all the ports of entry. More COVID-19 diagnostic tests should be procured to increase the testing capacity. Training and awareness on mental, social, and psychological consequences of COVID-19 should be offered to the health care workers and the general public. More financial resources should be sourced to enable the country control the pandemic.
Copyright ? 2020. Published by Elsevier B.V.
KEYWORDS:
Africa; COVID-19; Coronavirus; Emergency preparedness and response; Zimbabwe
PMID:32305269PMCID:PMC7152921DOI:10.1016/j.jmii.2020.04.002
Free full text
Coronavirus-19 disease (COVID-19): A case series of early suspected cases reported and the implications towards the response to the pandemic in Zimbabwe.
Makurumidze R[SUP]1[/SUP].
Author information
Abstract
Zimbabwe is among the countries that have been identified to be at risk of the COVID-19 pandemic. As of the 15[SUP]th[/SUP] of March 2020, there was no confirmed case of the virus. Official reports of suspected cases were used to appraise the general screening, case management, and the emergency preparedness and response of the country towards the COVID-19 pandemic. In terms of the surveillance and capacity to screen at the ports of entry, the country seems to be faring well. The country might not be screening optimally, considering the number of COVID-19 tests conducted to date and the suspected cases who missed testing. Three of the suspected cases faced mental, social, and psychological consequences due to them being suspected cases of COVID-19. There is a need to enhance the screening process and infrastructure at all the ports of entry. More COVID-19 diagnostic tests should be procured to increase the testing capacity. Training and awareness on mental, social, and psychological consequences of COVID-19 should be offered to the health care workers and the general public. More financial resources should be sourced to enable the country control the pandemic.
Copyright ? 2020. Published by Elsevier B.V.
KEYWORDS:
Africa; COVID-19; Coronavirus; Emergency preparedness and response; Zimbabwe
PMID:32305269PMCID:PMC7152921DOI:10.1016/j.jmii.2020.04.002
Free full text