437 days of the COVID-19 Lockdown, and as of 8th of June 2021, the Ministry of Health and Child Care reported that, the cumulative number of COVID-19 cases had increased to 39 321 after 83 new cases were reported, all are local. The highest case tally was recorded in Bulawayo with 28 cases. We note that the Hospitalisation rate as at 15:00hrs on the 7th of June 2021 were 73 hospitalised cases, 6 asymptomatic cases, 55 mild to moderate cases, 9 severe cases and 3 cases in Intensive Care Units. Active cases go up to 948. We note that for the past 4 days the number of active cases continue to go up but are framed in the official report as “go down.”
- We call on the Ministry of Health and Child Care to address this discrepancy and avoid the perception of trying to downplay the increased number of infections and increased number of active cases.
The total number of recoveries went up to 36 756 increasing by 10 recoveries. The recovery rate went down marginally to 93% from 94%. A total of 701 people received their 1st doses of vaccine. The cumulative number of the 1st dose vaccinated now stands at 689 397. A total of 4 137 recipients received their second dose bringing the cumulative number of 2nd dose recipients to 389 412. The death toll goes up to 1 617 after 6 deaths were recorded.
We continue to urge the public to remain vigilant as we endure the third wave of COVID-19 in Zimbabwe. We urge communities to fight against the COVID-19 fatigue and remember to keep their distance, wear masks properly and sanitise regularly. We draw attention to the rise in both infections and hospitalisations in the country and call for safety first as the country continues to relax COVID-19 controls.
Critical emerging issue
Privatisation of COVID-19 Vaccines
We continue to highlight community reports of COVID-19 vaccines in the private sector in particular outside the ambit of the public sector which are being offered to desperate citizens under the counter or for exorbitant amounts.
We continue to reiterate that vaccines are a public good and their availability and accessibility is due to the public must be ring-fenced.
We are concerned with reports indicating that vaccines in the public sector are leaking into the private sector and this is fuelling the crisis on the shortage of vaccines.
- We urge the Parliament of Zimbabwe to exercise its mandate over the COVID-19 vaccine program
- We continue to call upon Government to adopt and maintain the highest quality levels of information dissemination and data sharing with the public.
- We amplify our calls for establishment of a Commission of Enquiry in 2021 on the management of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Zimbabwe.
Outstanding issue
Extension of Localised Lockdown in Kwekwe
We note the announcement of the extension of the localised lockdown on Kwekwe by an additional two weeks after a surge in COVID-19 cases in which thus far has recorded 74 cumulative cases, 70 active cases, 3 recoveries and 1 death. We note further confirmations regarding the detection of the Indian Variant in some of the new cases. We raise questions however to the existence and enforcement of the lockdown in terms.
Given the reports from our networks in Kwekwe, pointing to weak enforcement and compliance, we question the reality of this lock-down. We question why public transport in and around Kwekwe is still operating as usual, and why markets and business operators are still operating as through there has been complete relaxation of COVID-19 regulations. We raise concern as to why private vehicles are moving freely with no active COVID-19 traffic checks in place or mobile COVID -19 screening established. We question why inter provincial buses are collecting and dropping off passengers in and around Kwekwe with no guidance on how this should be adjusted to meet the lockdown stated? We raise these questions particularly when we note the location of Kwekwe in the Midlands Province and on one of the country’s major highways with the ability to be a super spreader location if the lockdown is not enforced at all.
- We call for a strict enforcement of the lockdown in Kwekwe to ensure effective infection control of COVID-19
Source: Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe (WCoZ)
