432 days of the COVID-19 Lockdown, and as of 3rd of June 2021, the Ministry of Health and Child Care reported that, the cumulative number of COVID-19 cases had increased to 39 092 after 61 new cases were reported, all are local cases and of which the highest case tally was recorded in Midlands with 27 cases. We note that the Hospitalisation rate as at 15:00hrs on the 2nd of June 2021 were 71 hospitalised cases, 16 asymptomatic cases, 49 mild to moderate cases, 3 severe cases and 3 cases in Intensive Care Units. Active cases go up to 807. The total number of recoveries went up to 36 680 increasing by 19 recoveries. The recovery rate still remains at 94%. A total of 1 9 22 people received their 1st doses of vaccine. The cumulative number of the 1st dose vaccinated now stands at 684 164. A total of 6 368 recipients received their second dose bringing the cumulative number of 2nd dose recipients to 364 340. The death toll goes up to 1605 after 5 deaths reported.
Critical emerging issue
Increased social activities and non-compliance with COVID-19 prevention measures
We note an increase cases of COVID-19, and despite such increase we also continue to note the growing practice of non-adherence to safety measures such as physical distancing, wearing of facemasks and regular temperature checks by businesses, in community centres and public transport. . We are gravely concerned regarding the complacency displayed by the public, businesses and employers may plunge the country into a protracted third wave of COVID-19.
We remind the public that despite significant COVID-19 fatigue, COVID-19 is real and has negative impacts on health. We urge the public to take heed and resist the fatigue and wear masks. We highlight alarming masks complacency in Mutare, Kariba, Karoi, Chinhoyi and Banket today.
We remain concerned at the non-adherence to mask wearing in public let alone sanitisation protocols in communities and business districts everywhere.
We are alarmed at the attempt to tone down the pandemic prevalence in Zimbabwe at a time when cases and “localised outbreaks” are on the increase as well as deaths.
We urge communities to take charge of their health and seek vaccination as well as ensuring masking up, sanitisation and reducing movements to those absolutely necessary.
- We urge Government to acknowledge the third wave of COVID-19 and act responsively and decisively in order to prevent a deepening of the wave and reduce the risks of lives lost.
- We call upon enforcement agents to strengthen efforts to ensure adherence to COVID-19 prevention measures by the general public.
- We continue to urge citizens to observe public health guidelines as they meet and interact in public places such as drinking spots and beer halls.
- We continue to call for the strict implementation of public health safety protocols in the public transport system.
Outstanding issue
Shortage of vaccines and Protests against vaccine shortages
We continue to highlight reports of the shortage of COVID-19 vaccine at various vaccination centres across the country. We highlight the reports of protests of persons going for second doses of the vaccines at various vaccination centres. We highlight the problematic reports of vaccines being made available under the counter from frontline workers as a result of the shortages. We highlight also to lack of acknowledgement and lack of communications regarding vaccines shortages from the Government and the COVID-19 IMT.
We continue to highlight the significant set-back that such shortages and poor communication of the same to the public is fuelling unnecessary speculation pertaining to the vaccination program within Zimbabwe.
We note with concern reports of citizens who have been turned away due to shortage of the first doses of the vaccine at vaccine centres inoculation centres. Compounded against this is report of the 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 and the presence of the Indian variant is a critical matter which seeks immediate and urgent attention.
- We continue to call for urgent operational measures to ensure that large vaccine centre with greater numbers of persons getting vaccinated are supported with doses from lower number vaccine centres
- We particularly 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.
- We call for Parliament of Zimbabwe to exercise its mandate over the COVID-19 vaccine program.
Source: Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe (WCoZ)
