Health Minister Explains Why Few People Have Been Tested For Coronavirus

Health and Child Care Minister Obadiah Moyo said the reason why Zimbabwe has tested less than 400 people for the novel coronavirus is that only those with symptoms are tested.

Zimbabwe’s health authorities’ stance contrasts with some countries were tens of thousands of tests are conducted daily, even for people who are not exhibiting symptoms for COVID-19. Said Moyo:

There is talk that our figures (of people) who have been tested are low as compared to other countries.

We are testing only those presenting with symptoms synonymous with the coronavirus case definition.

Meanwhile, most countries that have confirmed coronavirus cases consider mass testing to be one of the most effective ways of curbing the spread fo the deadly disease.

Once a person is tested and confirmed positive, they are isolated for 21 days so that the virus is not passed on to other people.

Reports from China also indicate that over 20 per cent of the people who tested positive for the coronavirus did not exhibit any symptoms.

More: The Herald