TANZANIA REPORTS FIRST DEATH FROM COVID-19

The Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender, seniors and Children, Ummy Mwalimu

By Our Correspondent, DODOMA Tanzania

Tanzania government said Tuesday a male patient who tested positive for the novel coronavirus and who was suffering from other undisclosed disease has passed away, marking the country’s first confirmed death from the disease.   

The 49-year-old Tanzanian national, who was being treated at Mloganzila medical facility in Dar es Salaam, was among the country’s 19 confirmed cases.  

The Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender, seniors and Children, Ummy Mwalimu, said he died Tuesday morning in the covid-19 treatment centre.

“I regret to announce the first death of COVID-19 patient in Tanzania, which occurred today at dawn at our Mloganzila medical facility.” The Minister confirmed.

She said that the current report shows that the country has 19 confirmed COVID-19 cases, one death and one recovered patient.

After first appearing in Wuhan, China last December, the novel coronavirus, officially known as COVID-19, has spread to at least 177 countries and territories, according to data compiled by U.S.-based Johns Hopkins University.

More than 787,269 cases have been reported worldwide, with the death toll over 37,846 and more than 165,935 recoveries. - Africa