Tanzania Covid-19 cases soar to 284 after 30 patients test positive

Covid-19 cases in Tanzania have soared to 284 after 30 patients test positive, Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa said on Wednesday.

According to him, 10 people have died from coronavirus while 256 are responding well to treatment.

“Hadi Aprili 21, 2020 jumla ya wagonjwa 284 wamethibitika kuwa na ugonjwa wa Covid19 ambapo wagonjwa 256 wanaendelea vizuri, 7 wako kwenye uangalizi maalum, 11 wamepona na 10 wamefariki,” he said.

The PM stated that tracing of 2815 people who were in contact with the COVID-19 patients was conducted and out of that number, 1733 tested negative.

He said 12 of the contacts tested positive and they are part of the 284 reported cases.

Dar es Salaam was reported as having majority of the cases with the PM urging residents to avoid non-essential travel to the city.

He said the Government has set up isolation centres and purchased medical equipment required by health professionals fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Shirika la Afya Duniani lilikadiria kuwa ifikapo mwisho wa mwezi Aprili, 2020 nchi yetu ingekua na wagonjwa 524,716 lakini tunamshkuru Mungu kwa kuwa kadirio hilo hatujalifikia,” he said.

PM Majaliwa assured Tanzanians that the government has taken adequate measures to help reduce the spread of coronavirus including public awareness campaigns.

The Government has also set up a national committee led by the PM that will assess the COVID-19 situation in the country.

Another committee will be led by a team of experienced research doctors to help with emergency response.

On Ramadhan, a month of fasting observed by Muslims worldwide, the PM urged businessmen to ensure that food prices are not inflated.

“Wakuu wa Mikoa na Wilaya wafanye ukaguzi mara kwa mara kwenye masoko ili kuhakikisha bei ni ile ile. Nawaagiza Wakuu wa Mikoa kuwachukulia hatua kali wanaouza sukari bei isiyo ya kawaida kwani hakuna sababu ya bei ya sukari kupanda kwani ipo ya kutosha,” he said.

PM Majaliwa further warned Tanzanians against spreading fake information about coronavirus particularly on social media.

According to him, citizens should only seek information from the government and authentic health professionals.

“Watanzania tuepuke matumizi mabaya na upotoshaji unaofanywa na baadhi ya watumiaji wa mitandao ya kijamii juu ya ugonjwa huu na badala yake endeleeni kuisikiliza Serikali na wataalam ambao watatoa maelekezo thabiti,” he added.