By Precious Hemah

The College of Medicine says it has established a response team against the coronavirus pandemic amid its continued rapid spread across the globe.

Principal of the college, Dr. Mwapatsa Mipando said the COVID-19 Response Team is made up of Public Health Specialists, Lab Scientists and Clinicians.

Dr. Mipando said the team will support the Ministry of Health and Population’s national response to COVID-19.

According to a Memo from the principal of the college Dr. Mwapatsa Mipando the team is being chaired by the Dean of School of Public Health and Family Medicine Dr. John Phuka.

The team has also subcommittees chaired by Professor Johnston Kumwenda, Professor Don Mathanga and Dr. Tonney Nyirenda.

Thousands of people have been infected with the coronavirus epidemic, which started in December 2019 in China.

According to the World Health Organization there are 126,510 cases reported about the virus, 4,637 deaths have been reported and 68,317 people have recovered from the virus.

In Africa more than 120 cases have been registered in 11 countries including South Africa.