550 days of the COVID-19 Lockdown, and as of 29th of September 2021, the Ministry of Health and Child Care reported that, the cumulative number of COVID-19 cases had increased to 130 485 after 213 new cases all local cases, were recorded. The highest case tally was recorded in Matebeleland South with 58 cases. We note that the Hospitalisation rate as at 15:00hrs on 27 September 2021 was 112 hospitalised cases: 15 New Admissions, 28 Asymptomatic cases, 63 mild-to-moderate cases, 18 severe cases and 3 cases in Intensive Care Units.
Active cases went up to 3 110. The total number of recoveries went up to 122 759 increasing by 138 recoveries. The recovery rate remains at 94%. A total of 11 557 people received their 1st doses of vaccine. The cumulative number of the 1st dose vaccinated now stands at 3 072 033. A total of 18 691 recipients received their second dose bringing the cumulative number of 2nd dose recipients to 2 248 001. The death toll went up to 4 616 after 1 new death was recorded.
Critical Emerging Issue
Listing of Zimbabwe on UK Red List
We note the continued listing of Zimbabwe on the Red List of the UK which imposes notable restrictions on the potential of visitors from the UK travelling to the Zimbabwe and those in Zimbabwe travelling to the UK. We note particularly the discriminatory requirements that persons must have been vaccinated with either the Moderna or the Oxford/AstraZeneca or the Pfizer/BioNTech or the single dose Janssen vaccines.
We strongly object to the inequity in the recognition of vaccines that have been approved by the WHO and which are part of the vaccine mix of countries in the global south, manufactured by China. We note that this entails that Zimbabwe-vaccinated persons may not enter the UK as their vaccines are not recognised despite the very difficult and complex issues pertaining to equitable vaccination access for Africa and the global south.
Furthermore, we highlight the high rate of vaccination of the Zimbabwean population at 15.4% which is ahead that of South African vaccination rate of 14.5% and is 1% ahead of South Africa as at the 28th of September 2021. We highlight further the significant drop in infections and hospitalisations from the period of the delta driven surge in 2021.
We note further that over the past 7 days, the Zimbabwe infection rate is now under 10% of the July 2021 peak comparable to the South Africa infection rate.
We therefore continue to critique the vaccine inequity impacting negatively and unduly on Africa and those in the global south.
- We call for the Government to engage the through diplomatic channels, the Government of the United Kingdom on ensuring delisting of Zimbabwe from the Red list.
- We call for full world-wide recognition of WHO approved vaccines in usage in Africa including those manufactured in India Russia and China.
Outstanding issues
New Vaccination Cards/Passports Launched
We note the launch the new proof of vaccination cards. We note that the new cards are electronically enabled and can be verified anywhere in the world. We note the enhanced security features characterising the new cards. This is a commendable shift from the handwritten cards currently being provided to vaccinated persons.
We note further that several vaccination centres are already issuing the new cards.
We note further the instructions that vaccinated persons should approach their vaccination centres to secure replacement cards.
- We call for government to clarify if all vaccinated person are eligible for the new cards or those who may need to travel.
- We call for replacement of cards to remain at no costs to the vaccinated persons.
- We call for the complete replacement for all handwritten cards to eradicate the vice of fake cards.
Source: Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe
