Zimbabwe: man suspected of having coronavirus flees hospital

Health authorities in Zimbabwe say a man who was due to to be tested for coronavirus fled the hospital before his case could be confirmed. 

The 26-year-old arrived in Zimbabwe from Thailand in February and was referred to Wilkins Hospital in Harare on Sunday after complaining of a fever and sneezing.

In a statement on Monday the country’s health ministry said that the patient did not meet the “case definition of a suspected case” but was still tested to be certain. 

Zimbabwe has no confirmed cases of the virus so far but health officials have been told to remain vigilant for signs of an outbreak. 

After the man fled the hospital, the ministry said a police report was filed and authorities followed up at the patient’s home. 

Latests figures suggest there are 100 confirmed cases of coronavirus across Africa, with Egypt accounting for 55 of those infected. 

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