COVID-19 scare: Zimbabwe puts 197 medics under quarantine 60 mins ago

<!– COVID-19 scare at Mpilo Central Hospital in Bulawayo –>

COVID-19 scare at Mpilo Central Hospital in Bulawayo

The fear of COVID-19 has made one of Zimbabwe’s top referral centres- Mpilo Central Hospital in Bulawayo to place no fewer than 197 health workers in self-quarantine.

The measure was taken after a nurse tested positive at the hospital.

Two of the patients tested positive after they were admitted at the hospital recently, while the third was an outpatient, the Herald newspaper reported Monday.

It is suspected that the nurse contracted the virus through interactions with one of the patients.

After the confirmed cases at Mpilo Central Hospital, Bulawayo’s rapid response team was contacted to contain the potential spread of the virus through contact tracing.

This resulted in 197 health workers who were at high risk being placed on 14-day mandatory self-quarantine.

They are observing the quarantine in their homes.

The nurse who was asymptomatic, was also placed under quarantine.

The self-quarantine, which is due to end on Thursday, is done under surveillance.

Mpilo Central Hospital acting chief executive Solwayo Ngwenya said there are more than 2,000 health workers at the facility.

“So far all of them have tested negative for the virus. They are in self-isolation for 14 days and are supposed to complete process on Thursday.” Ngwenya said.