Monitoring Government Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic 2021 Update #6

The latest ZESN report on monitoring the response by government to the covid-19 pandemic is now out. The report, which covers developments in the months of July and August, provides insights into the enforcement of lockdown regulations and the impact of covid-19 on the health sector among other things. Read on to get more.

Introduction

This report covers developments that occurred in the months of July and August 2021, as reported by ZESN LTOs. ZESN hopes that the report will complement information available for use in the development and reinforcing of strategies aimed at safeguarding the health of citizens who are trying to forge ahead with life in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

On 13 July, President Mnangagwa extended the level 4 lockdown and again on 25 August. In July, Deputy Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr. John Mangwiro, reminded people of the third wave that the country was going through, imploring them to seek early medical assistance when they suspect they have COVID-19 symptoms to avoid loss of lives. Zimbabwe received 25 000 doses of Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine donated by Alrosa Zimbabwe on 11 July 2021 and on 25 July, a batch of 1 million doses of Sinovac vaccine was also received.

Enforcement of lockdown regulations

In general, stricter enforcement of COVID-19 regulations was reported in many constituencies around the country in the month of July, following the declaration of level 4 of the lockdown towards the end of June and its extension on 13 and 25 July. Cases of non-compliant people being beaten by law enforcement officers were reported, for example at Mbudzi roundabout in Glen View, in Masvingo South where the offender was allegedly badly beaten while handcuffed, and offenders were arrested and fined in many constituencies. In general, transport was reported to be a challenge, with ZUPCo failing to sufficiently cope with demand.

Impact of covid-19 on the health sector

Local health facilities continued to offer services. In some constituencies, for example Muzarabani South, the major health facilities were only dealing with serious and emergency cases and visiting hours were abolished. Shortages of medication were reported in a number of constituencies, for example Kuwadzana East, Glen Norah, Nyanga South, Gutu East, Binga North, and Gokwe Sasame. In Nketa, health workers were conducting outreach visits aimed at vaccination against typhoid and administering vitamin A.

Read the full report here (641KB PDF)

Source: Zimbabwe Election Support Network

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