Zimbabwe’s Agriculture Minister succumbs to Covid-19?
Minister of Lands, Agriculture & Rural Resettlement Perence Shiri has died. Unconfirmed reports say Shiri died of Covid-19 illness.
Shiri was hospitalised after the death of his driver yesterday and passed away hours after.
Announcing on his Official twitter handle President Mnangagwa said “I am deeply saddened to inform the Nation of the death of the Minister of Agriculture, Air Chief Marshall (Rtd) Perrance Shiri, a long time friend and colleague. Cde Shiri was a true patriot, who devoted his life to the liberation, independence and service of his country.MHRIP”
I am deeply saddened to inform the Nation of the death of the Minister of Agriculture, Air Chief Marshall (rtd) Perrance Shiri, a long time friend and colleague. Cde Shiri was a true patriot, who devoted his life to the liberation, independence and service of his country.MHRIP pic.twitter.com/r2FBeRNPpT
— President of Zimbabwe (@edmnangagwa) July 29, 2020
Presidential spokesperson George Charamba yesterday said, “The minister’s driver died from the virus and it is only normal that the minister goes into self-isolation, and in the process miss cabinet, as a contact of his former driver.”
Covid-19
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus. The disease mostly affects the lungs. Although for most people COVID-19 causes only mild illness, it can make some people very ill. More rarely, the disease can be fatal. Older people and those with pre-existing medical conditions (such as high blood pressure, heart problems or diabetes) appear to be more vulnerable.
Using available preliminary data, the median time from onset to clinical recovery for mild cases is approximately 2 weeks and is 3-6 weeks for patients with severe or critical disease.