Health Reporter
The deadly Indian COVID-19 variant has been detected in Zimbabwe, with one person being diagnosed with the disease in Kwekwe recently.
In a statement yesterday, Vice President and Minister of Health and Child Care, General (RTD) Dr Constantino Chiwenga, said the COVID-19 variant that was predominantly in India was now in the country.
“Genomic sequencing test was carried out on samples collected from a reported focalized outbreak in Kwekwe which was linked to a traveler from India on the 29th of April 2021, a high risk COVID-19 transmission area.
“The test conducted revealed that the B.1.617 variants predominantly from India was detected at the focalized outbreak in Kwekwe. The nation is therefore advised that this variant is now in Zimbabwe,” said Dr Chiwenga.
The Health Minister added that in order to curb the spread of the variant, people travelling from or transiting from India would be subjected to mandatory quarantine at a designated centre and at their own cost.
Dr Chiwenga further advised that all travellers would also be subjected to a COVID-19 test on arrival despite the status of their travelling certificate.
According to the Health Minister, travellers coming into the country from other countries should present a COVID-19 PCR test done not more than 48 hours from the time of departure, failure of which this would be done on arrival on one’s own expense. Dr Chiwenga added that travellers would be quarantined for 10 days from date of arrival.
Vice President Chiwenga urged people to continue adhering to the World Health Organisation (WHO) regulations such as maintaining social distancing at all times, wearing of face masks, use of sanitizers as well as avoiding unnecessary travelling outside one’s place of residence.
The COVID-19 pandemic has to date ravaged many countries such as India and South Africa with many people in these countries succumbing to the disease. Zimbabwe has so far defied the odds with a thorough and effective response to the pandemic. As of yesterday, 605 556 people had been vaccinated against COVID-19.
