The Health and Child Care Ministry has allayed COVID-19 fears amidst the surge of flu-like infections across the country stating there are no new flu-like viruses.
In a statement, the Health Ministry’s Permanent Secretary Dr Aspect Maunganidze stated that the flu-like infections are just the common cold.
“The Ministry of Health and Child Care would want to reassure the public that the flu-like illnesses seen in the country are due to the common cold,” he said.
Of the 3 634 suspected influenza cases reported recently, Mashonaland East and Mashonaland West provinces reported the highest number. No deaths from the illnesses were reported.
Having done someinvestigations on the rise in flu-like infections this May, Dr Maunganidze said, “The winter season is associated with increased incidence of common colds and that is what has been seen so far.”
He encouraged the public to take a lot of fluids while keeping warm.
“The cases are neither due to Covid-19 or other new viruses. There is no viral pandemic in Zimbabwe.
“The public is advised to lead healthy lifestyles, take lots of fluids, keep warm and where necessary take over-the-counter common cold remedies,” Dr Maunganidze added.
