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TanzaniaConfirms FirstCase of Coronavirus

Charles Kombe

   DAR ES SALAAM - At least 30 countries across Africa have now reported
   cases of coronavirus, including four that reported their
   firstinstancesMonday -- Benin, Liberia, Somalia and Tanzania.

   Speaking to reporters Monday, Health Minister
   UmmyMwalimusaidthecoronaviruspatient is a46-year-oldTanzanian womanwho
   arrived inArushafrom Belgium onthe afternoon ofMarch 14.

   Mwalimu said the passenger arrived through Kilimanjaro Airport and was
   checked by the health officialsbut was not found to have afever.Later,
   she started feelingunwellwhile ina hoteland went to the Mount Meru
   regionalhospital,whereasamplewastaken to the public health laboratory
   in Dar es Salaam foraninvestigation.

   Mwalimusaidthe laboratory results have confirmed the person
   hasCOVID-19.

   The minister saidthe patientis in good condition andofficials are
   tracing thosewith whomshe came intocontact afterherarrival.

   Authorities announced other steps to halt the spread of the
   virus.President JohnMagufulipostponed the Uhuru torch ceremony, an
   annual event that involves relaying a torch across the country.

   The government advised all citizens to postpone nonessential travel to
   countries with reported COVID-19 cases.

   And officials advised public places such as schools, hotels, churches
   and mosques to install hand sanitizers.

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