key: cord-327003-2z0ftel0 authors: Makurumidze, Richard title: Coronavirus-19 Disease (COVID-19): A case series of early suspects reported and the implications towards the response to the pandemic in Zimbabwe date: 2020-04-13 journal: J Microbiol Immunol Infect DOI: 10.1016/j.jmii.2020.04.002 sha: doc_id: 327003 cord_uid: 2z0ftel0 Abstract Zimbabwe is among the countries that have been identified to be at risk of the COVID-19 pandemic. As of the 15th of March 2020, there has been no confirmed case of the virus. Official reports of suspect cases were used to appraise the general screening, case management, and preparedness of the country towards the COVID-19 pandemic. In terms of the surveillance and capacity to screen at 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 suspected cases who missed testing. Three of the suspected cases faced mental, social, and psychological consequences due to them being suspects of COVID-19. There is a need to enhance the screening process and infrastructure at all ports of entry. More COVID-19 diagnostic tests should be procured to increase the testing capacity. Training and awareness of mental, social, and psychological consequences of COVID-19 should be offered to health care workers and the public. More financial resources should be sourced to enable the country to control the pandemic. The studies conducted to date have shown African countries to be at risk of getting the new 21 coronavirus disease , mainly due to their close link with China 1 . Despite the 22 associated high risk, the number of reported cases has been rising slower than anticipated 23 considering their weak health and emergency preparedness and response systems 2 . Several 24 conspiracy theories have been proposed to explain the fewer cases, but they are yet to be 25 proved 3 . The Africa continent has not been complacent but has started to put in strategies 26 to curb the pandemic 4,5 . According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) report on 27 COVID-19 on the 15 th of March 2020, 365 cases were confirmed in 25 African countries. The 28 mortality rate in Africa currently stood at around 2% 6 . Zimbabwe is among the countries 29 that have been identified to be at risk of COVID-19 virus 1 . As of the 15 th of March 2020, 30 9700 travellers had entered the country through all the port of entries. Of all the travellers, 31 only 14 COVID-19 diagnostic tests have been performed, and none has tested positive. 32 Some of the suspected cases have attracted national-level attention in various media 33 forums, especially social media. The COVID-19 pandemic has been associated with a lot of 34 misinformation 7 . The authorities are now issuing regular official statements to update and 35 allay fears of the public. The eight cases presented here are based on official reports made 36 to the public by the authorities. The information was obtained from the update reports 37 shared with the public 8-15 . The aim was to appraise the general screening, case 38 management, and preparedness of the country regarding COVID-19. consequences. The first case was referred to a psychiatrist for suspected psychological 48 trauma. The 3 rd case initially absconded COVID-19 testing later return after police report. 49 The 5 th case was reported by the hotel where he was staying despite being asymptomatic. i.e., more testing more cases identified. Testing widely will also enable the country better Preparedness 239 and vulnerability of African countries against importations of COVID-19: a modelling 240 study Looming threat of COVID-19 infection in Africa: act 242 collectively, and fast Africa has been spared so far from coronavirus. Why? Africa Union Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. 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