The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has taken a new stage in Tanzania, as the country registers two more deaths and the number of infected patients of the contagious virus rises to 32.
According to information from Tanzania’s health minister Ummy Mwalimu, the two deaths are male Tanzanians aged 51 and 57 whose cases were reported on April 8.
Hence, the five patients are four men aged 68, 57, 54, 41, and one woman aged 35 all residents of the nation’s commercial, capital Dar es Salaam.
READ:COVID-19 in East Africa: Tanzania records first death
According to the minister, the number now stands at 32 after the Zanzibar (semi-autonomous region of Tanzania) health minister earlier in the day announced two new cases on the Isles.
“Of the 32 cases recorded so far, five have healed and discharged, 24 others are still receiving treatment whereas three have passed on,” said the Minister in a Statement.
The East African registered its first death on March 31, 9-year-old Tanzanian male, who had pre-existing conditions.
In the same context, the health ministry yesterday called on citizens to observe more precaution given the changing dynamics of the infections which are no longer imported.
READ:Coronavirus Africa update: Tanzania shuts livestock markets
However, while addressing heads of religious sects health minister stressed that the new trend was now worrying and called on the public to avoid unnecessary public gatherings and travel to villages.
“The disease has been brought in from outside, but, yesterday and last week, we have begun to find infections within the country. Within a few days, it will go into community transmission. That means we will get a patient who does not know where the disease has come from,” she said.
Further, the health minister explained that the stage of transmission in the community may be complicated to know who the infected person is and warning that Tanzania may get to this stage.
In addition, unlike its East African counterparts (Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya) with lockdowns, deputy health minister ruled out rolling mandatory total lockdowns as its impacts could highly affect low-income-earning citizens—but authorities are hammering on adhering health precautions.
READ:Coronavirus update: Sino-Tanzania trade falls
