424 days of the COVID-19 Lockdown, and as of 25th May 2021, the Ministry of Health and Child Care reported that, the cumulative number of COVID-19 cases had increased to 38 819 after 113 new cases were reported, all are local cases and of which the highest case tally was recorded in Masvingo with 94 cases. We note that the Hospitalisation rate as at 15:00hrs on the 25th of May 2021 were 39 hospitalised cases, 3 asymptomatic cases, 24 mild to moderate cases, 8 severe cases and 4 cases in Intensive Care Units. Active cases go down to 699. The total number of recoveries went up to 36 531 increasing by 14 recoveries. The recovery rate still remains at 94.1%. A total of 3 978 people received their 1st doses of vaccine. The cumulative number of the 1st dose vaccinated now stands at 643 531. A total of 5 072 recipients received their second dose bringing the cumulative number of 2nd dose recipients to 293 509. The death toll now stands at 1 589 after 2 new deaths were recorded.
Critical emerging issue
Shortage of vaccines
We highlight reports of the shortage of COVID-19 vaccine at various vaccination centres across the country. We highlight the significant set-back such shortages have on both the global vaccination program within Zimbabwe, and the efforts within communities to support increased uptake of vaccines. We note with concern reports of citizens who have been turned away due to shortage of the first doses of the vaccine at inoculation centres.
Compounded against this, are reports of short supplies of the second dose of the vaccine which threatens to hamper effort made by citizens who already began their vaccine journeys.
The gravity of the shortage vaccines, with the threat of the third wave of COVID-19, driven by winter seasons, compounded by the super-spreader which have now become the order of the day, and the presence of the Indian variant, becomes a critical matter which require immediate and urgent attention.
- We call for urgent operational measures to ensure that large vaccine centres with greater numbers of persons getting vaccinated are supported with doses from lower number vaccine centres.
- We call for accountability from Treasury directly which has repeatedly assured citizens that the supplies of vaccines have been supported by both increased uptake of international debt and budget surpluses and monthly procurement to explain this discrepancy.
- We continue to call for an expansion of the vaccines mix available in Zimbabwe to support the vaccine programme.
Outstanding issue
Outbreak Scare at Dangamvura – Manicaland School
We highlight reports of an outbreak scare at Dangamvura High School in Manicaland. We note with commendation, the rapid interventions by the district COVID-19 Team and the school authorities to ensure that their COVID-19 protocols are alive and active. We commend the ability to survey the potential outbreaks and the testing that followed.
- We call for continuous vigilance in schools and communities to outbreaks.
- We urge active support in trauma counselling in the testing and tracing system
- We call for increased support to the testing system in the country.
Source: Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe (WCoZ)
