Verdict: False.
On Tuesday 24 March, there was a social media message circulating on WhatsApp platform claimed that there were three patients who were admitted to St Lukes hospital in Lupane, who had tested positive on Coronavirus.
“Guys three patients admitted at St Lukes Lupane who have tested positive of Corona Virus how far prepared are you in Binga and this is very true those who have friends at St Lukes Hospital you can confirm,” read the message.
Contacted for comment, Matabeleland North Provincial Medical Director Dr Pugie Chimberengwa dismissed the message false.
“Where did they test, that is not true, as the Ministry we are sending daily updates on cases who test positive on Covid-19,” said Dr Chimberengwa.
In its daily update, on March 24, 2020, the Ministry of Health and Child Care revealed that the country had only three confirmed cases of the coronavirus.
One of the patients succumbed to Covid-19 on Monday at Wilkins Hospital in Harare.
“As of today, the number of Covid-19 confirmed cases in the country is now three. Today, the National Microbiology Reference Laboratory tested a total 15 specimens, the majority being from contacts of the deceased case. One tested positive for Covid-19, more details to be provided later,” said permanent secretary for health and child care, Dr Agnes Mahomva in a statement.
