381 days of the COVID-19 Lockdown, and as of 13 April 2021, the Ministry of Health and Child Care reported that, the cumulative number of COVID-19 cases had increased to 37 330 after 23 new cases were reported, all are local cases. The highest case tally was recorded in Harare with 8 cases. We note that the Hospitalisation rate as at 15:00hrs on the 11th of April 2021 went up to 36 hospitalised cases, 3 asymptomatic cases, 19 mild to moderate cases, 9 severe cases and 5 cases Intensive Care Units. Active cases went down to 855. The total number of recoveries went up to 34 932, increasing by 31 recoveries. The recovery rate goes up marginally to 93.6%. A total of 13 241 people received their 1st doses of vaccine. The cumulative number of the 1st dose vaccinated now stands at 218 516. A total of 535 recipients received their second dose bringing the cumulative number of 2nd dose recipients to 29 839. The death toll goes up to 1 543 after 1 death was recorded today.
Critical emerging issue
1. Home-based Care
We continue to note a higher number of active COVID-19 cases which are currently being managed at home, as compared to the hospitalised cases. We therefore highlight our concerns on home-based care and lack of the support systems to assist such households. Reports from our networks indicate the non-operation of isolation centres in areas such as Kwekwe. Given these challenges, we reiterate the need for the Ministry of Health and Child Care to officially communicate and publicize information regarding the state of Isolation centres and hospitals throughout all Provinces and Districts of Zimbabwe.
We urge Government to introduce and implement measures to support home-based carers and primary care-givers in order to ease their burden and to minimize risk of further transmission.
- We urge up-scaling efforts on safe Isolation centres which are not overcrowded and also cater for the needs and rights of women such as the availability of sanitary aid and sexual and reproductive health services.
Outstanding issue
1. COVID-19 Vaccines
The reports from various part of the world this week have led to a rise in anxiety and concern regarding the vaccines available in Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe presently has an approved local vaccine mix of four vaccines namely, Sinopharm and Sinovac from China, Russia’s Sputnik V and India’s Covaxin.
We note further the announcement by the Government that approximately 1 million vaccines will be received per month going forward as part of on-going procurement.
We note reports on various issues regarding vaccines from China. At the same time, we note concerns regarding vaccines headed to Zimbabwe through the African Union facility which include the AstraZeneca vaccine and also anxieties pertaining to the Johnson and Johnson vaccines.
- We call upon Government to continue to advise the nation on the vaccine mix being received and administered in the country, in particular shifts in administration of vaccines to various age groups to respond to the latest medical sector reports.
- We call upon the government to continue to advise the nation regarding vaccine procurement and vaccine stores.
- We call for the government to publicize the reports from the sub-committee of the Inter-Ministerial Team on COVID 19 on monitoring and evaluation of the responses of persons vaccinated to encourage public knowledge on after effects of vaccines.
Source: Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe
