Zimbabwe Lockdown: Day 583 – WCOZ Situation Report

582 days of the COVID-19 Lockdown, and as of 1st of November 2021, the Ministry of Health and Child Care reported that, the cumulative number of COVID-19 cases had increased to 133 007 after 30 new cases all local cases, were recorded. The highest case tally was recorded in Bulawayo with 15 cases. We note that the Hospitalisation rate as at 15:00hrs on 31 October 2021 remained at 30 hospitalised cases: 2 New Admissions, 12 Asymptomatic cases, 24 mild-to-moderate cases, 3 severe cases and 5 cases in Intensive Care Units. A total of 6 435 people received their 1st doses of vaccine. The cumulative number of the 1st dose vaccinated now stands at 3 317 010. A total of 5 294 recipients received their second dose bringing the cumulative number of 2nd dose recipients to 2 600 453. Active cases went down to 574. The total number of recoveries went up to 127 754 increasing by 54 recoveries. The recovery rate remains at 96%. The death toll went up to 4 679, as there was 1 new death recorded.

Critical Emerging Issue

Extension of Lockdown

We note the extension of the Zimbabwean lockdown at level two measures for an additional two weeks. We commend the two week period past which has resulted in 45recorded cases per day with death now averaging 1 death per day. We continue to call for the stricter adherence to mandatory mask wearing and social distancing practises which have all but fallen away as per a national snap survey conducted by our community monitors.

• We remain concerned at the risks of a fourth wave of infections if communities do not increase their pace of vaccination versus ensuring greater usage of infection control measures.
• We call for the announcement of the processes and deciders of the lockdown exist measures that Zimbabwe will undertake so as to ensure a gradual exist of lockdown and high levels of infection control

Outstanding issues

Minors to get vaccinated

We amplify the watershed announcement by the Government indicating that children under the age of 18 will not be vaccinated. The expansion directly target those over 16 years and under 18 years. We note approval of the Chinese manufactured Sinovac Biotech (SVA.O) COVID-19 vaccine for 16- and 17-year- olds. We note that the policy shift is guided by recommendation of specialist paediatricians. We note further that the target for herd immunity in Zimbabwe remains the end of December 2021. We remain vigilant on the processes regarding potential vaccination of younger children. We commend the expansion of vaccination centres to in all provinces to secondary schools, colleges and universities.

• We call for these vaccination centres to also administer vaccines to the broader communities surrounding educational centres.
• We call for the full report regarding potential side effects for minors to be released to the public.

Source: Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe