Zimbabwe Lockdown: Day 532 – WCoZ Situation Report

532 days of the COVID-19 Lockdown, and as of 11th of September 2021, the Ministry of Health and Child Care reported that the cumulative number of COVID-19 cases had increased to 126 220 after 57 new cases, all local cases, were recorded. The highest case tally was recorded in Manicaland and Harare with 30 cases in each Province. We note that the Hospitalisation rate as at 15:00hrs on 10th September 2021 was 170 hospitalised cases: 22 new admissions, 23 asymptomatic cases, 80 mild-to-moderate cases, 51 severe cases and 16 cases in Intensive Care Units.

Active cases went down to 3 029. The total number of recoveries went up to 118 655 increasing by 244 recoveries. The recovery rate remains at 94%. A total of 12 157 people received their 1st dose of vaccine. The cumulative number of the 1st dose vaccinated now stands at 2 836 753. A total of 17 775 recipients received their second dose bringing the cumulative number of 2nd dose recipients to 1 849 006. The death toll went up to 4 536 after 4 new deaths were recorded.

Critical Emerging Issue

Social Protection mechanisms during COVID-19

We continue to note with concern the socio-economic impact of COVID-19 pandemic on lives and livelihoods. 

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. Noting that Parliament is currently seized with the matter, we amplify the following demands:

  • Resuscitation of the COVID-19 support scheme. 
  • Adequate funding of National Social Protection Policy Framework.
  • Expansion of social safety nets and offset economic impacts for COVID-19.
  • Provision of support for households who are no longer able to sustain themselves due to loss of livelihoods, especially women-led households.

Outstanding issues 

Non-adherence to COVID-19 safety protocols and guidelines

We continue to draw attention to the significant drop in communities’ adherence to safety protocols such as masking up, despite the increase in monetary fines for the offence. Our networks report an increasing trend of communities’ heightened laxity in adherence to physical distancing, mandatory mask-wearing right across the country. Furthermore, the reports highlight an increase in handshaking and hugging by communities in recent days. This raises infection control challenges especially in the current context which is predominantly characterised by a surge in socio-economic activities, high levels of congestion and density of persons. 

  • We continue to remind and stress to both the public and policy makers that vaccination is not a substitute for infection control.
  • We continue to call for adherence to physical distancing, wearing of facemasks and regular temperature checks by businesses both formal and informal.

Source: Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe

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