439 days of the COVID-19 Lockdown, and as of 10th of June 2021, the Ministry of Health and Child Care reported that, the cumulative number of COVID-19 cases had increased to 39 496 after 64 new cases were reported, all are local. The highest case tally was recorded in Matabeleland South with 14 cases. We note that the Hospitalisation rate as at 15:00hrs on the 9th of June 2021 were 74 hospitalised cases, 20 asymptomatic cases, 45 mild to moderate cases, 7 severe cases and 2 cases in Intensive Care Units. Active cases go up to 930. The total number of recoveries went up to 36 940 increasing by 24 recoveries. The recovery rate goes up marginally to 94% from 93%. A total of 532 people received their 1st doses of vaccine. The cumulative number of the 1st dose vaccinated now stands at 690 452. A total of 4 991 recipients received their second dose bringing the cumulative number of 2nd dose recipients to 399 054. The death toll goes up to 1 626 after 4 deaths recorded.
We note the relaxation of the COVID-19 controls for the artistic community who may now conduct events which are under a 50 person audience.
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 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 under relaxed COVID-19 controls.
Critical emerging issue
Extended 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 continue to raise questions however to the existence and enforcement of the lockdown in real terms.
Given the reports from our networks in Kwekwe, pointing to continued weak enforcement and compliance, we question the reality of this lock-down. We continue to 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 continue to raise concerns as to why private vehicles continue to be moving freely with no active COVID-19 traffic checks in place or mobile COVID -19 screening established? We continue 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
Outstanding issue
Substantive Leadership in Critical Ministry of Health and Child Care Posts
We continue to highlight reports that 5 major hospitals have been operating for over a year without substantive chief executive officers (CEOs). This is compounded by the continuing practice of acting directors in various departments in the Ministry of Health and Child Care. We continue to decry the delayed resolution of the Ministry restructuring exercise which was purported to enhance operational efficiency, effectiveness and accountability. We urge the immediate substantive appointments, in full respect for the gender parity considerations, to fill in the vacant positions within the Ministry of Health and Child Care, which includes other senior positions of technical leadership of the Ministry.
- We urge the immediate substantive appointments to fill in the vacant positions within the Ministry of Health and Child Care, which includes other senior positions of technical leadership of the Ministry.
- We urge prompt replacements for the 5 hospital CEOs.
- We further call for the respect of gender parity in all appointments.
Source: Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe (WCoZ)
