613 days of the COVID-19 Lockdown, and as of 2nd of December 2021, the Ministry of Health and Child Care reported that, the cumulative number of COVID-19 cases had increased to 135 337 after 712 new cases all local cases, were recorded. The highest case tally was recorded in Manicaland with 139 cases. We note that the Hospitalisation rate data as at 15:00hrs on 30 November 2021, 52 hospitalised cases: 18 New Admissions, 5 Asymptomatic cases, 33 mild-to-moderate cases, 11 severe cases and 3 cases in Intensive Care Units. A total of 14499 people received their 1st doses of vaccine. The cumulative number of the 1st dose vaccinated now stands at 3 809 048. A total of 13 999 recipients received their second dose bringing the cumulative number of 2nd dose recipients to 2 830 542. Active cases go up to 1 846. The total number of recoveries went up to 128 784 increasing by 37 recoveries. The recovery rate remains at 96%. The death toll goes up to 4 707 after no new deaths were recorded.
Critical Emerging Issue
Warning for responsiveness to Gender Based Violence in Lockdown
At the inception of the tightened lockdown measures we call for duty bearers and national institutions to be on the readiness to respond to potential increased cases of Gender Based Violence.
Reiterating the concerns pertaining to the rise of GBV during the lockdown;
Noting with trepidation the lives of women and girls, having been put at risk during this time who unfortunately continue to rely on non-State actors whose operational functionality remains constrained.
- We therefore urge the expedition of the leadership of Government in protecting women and girls against violence from both private and public sources.
- We further urge the expansion of access to services for survivors of violence, by designating such services as essential in the COVID-19 era.
Outstanding issues
Scaling up preventative measures in the education communities
We are concerned with numerous reports of outbreaks of COVID-19 in various educational communities in the country. We raise concern as school pupils are commencing their ZIMSEC, Grade 7, O-Level and A-Level exams, which require them to attend physically in their large numbers.
- We urge strengthening of vaccination system in schools and other tertiary institutions.
- We continue to emphasise on the need to prioritise the safety of learners together with their teachers and supporting staff within the education sector.
- We urge that support measures schools be expedited with notable priority support to schools in rural communities with significant water and sanitation limitations.
- We urge a robust infection monitoring and reporting system in schools and other tertiary institution
- We call for increased efforts in the district COVID-19 taskforce teams on community engagement and availing of testing and tracing support to communities.
Source: Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe
