474 days of the COVID-19 Lockdown, and as of 15th of July 2021, the Ministry of Health and Child Care reported that, the cumulative number of COVID-19 cases had increased to 78 872 after 2 491 new cases all local cases, were recorded. The highest case tally was recorded in Harare at 57 cases. The hotspots updates are as follows; Mashonaland West Province- Kariba (24), Hurungwe (95), Chegutu (94), Sanyati (61). Mashonaland Central –Mazowe (61), Centenary (70). Mashonaland East-Marondera (85), Seke (59). Masvingo Province – Chiredzi (12), Mwenezi (15). Midlands Province – Kwekwe (15). Bulawayo Province – Nkulumane (35), Emakhandeni (56) and Northern Suburbs (86), Harare Province (457).
We note that the Hospitalisation rate as at 15:00hrs on the 14th of the July 2021 was 705 hospitalised cases: 183 New Admissions, 223 Asymptomatic cases, 401 mild-to-moderate cases, 52 severe cases and 29 cases in Intensive Care Units.
Active cases went up to 26 680. The total number of recoveries went up to 49 774 increasing by 721 recoveries. The recovery rate went down further by a slight margin, to 63% from 64%. A total of 47 506 people received their 1st doses of vaccine. The cumulative number of the 1st dose vaccinated now stands at 1 036 252. A total of 5 716 recipients received their second dose bringing the cumulative number of 2nd dose recipients to 630 610. The death toll went up to 2 418 after 86 new deaths were recorded.
Critical Emerging Issues
Socio-economic impacts of COVID-19
We continue to amplify our concern on the socio-economic impacts of COVID-19 particularly that the majority of women in Zimbabwe and women-led households are facing the biggest impacts in food security, income loss, and care-giving burdens. We emphasize the need for prioritization of women’s access to social safety nets during COVID-19, taking due cognisance of the fact that a majority of women in the informal sector, such as the cross-border traders, have suffered severe loss of livelihoods due to the many lockdowns imposed since March 2020.
- We continue to recommend that Government announces the direct distribution of basic commodities and food in communities similar to the subsidized mealie meal distribution program.
- We continue to call for the resuscitation of the COVID-19 support scheme.
- We call for the adequate funding of National Social Protection Policy Framework.
- We therefore urge Government to expand social safety nets and offset economic impacts for COVID19.
- We reinforce our calls for the provision of support for households who are no longer able to sustain themselves due to loss of livelihoods, especially women-led households.
Outstanding issues
Vaccination Cards on Sale
With great distress, we raise alarm on the growing community reports indicating the rise of the sale of vaccination cards to unvaccinated persons. We note with concern, the rise in demand of cards which is being fuelled by chaos at vaccine centres. We note the connection between demand for vaccination and the increasing demand for proof of vaccination, as a means to access various social and economic activities including jobs. We are concerned at the sale of vaccination cards as this will undermine critical public health targets.
- We urge the strengthening of internal control systems at vaccination centres.
- We recommend separate issuance points for vaccination cards to vaccinated persons who may have failed to access cards at their vaccination dates.
- We call for a toll-free anonymous reporting system for vaccine centres offering sale of vaccination cards
Source: Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe (WCoZ)
