637 days of the COVID-19 Lockdown, and as of 25th of December 2021, the Ministry of Health and Child Care reported that, the cumulative number of COVID-19 cases had increased to 203 746 after 1 010 new cases all local cases, were recorded. The highest case tally was recorded in Midlands with 184 cases. We note that the Hospitalisation rate data as at 15:00hrs on 24 December 2021,was: 277 hospitalised cases: 43 New Admissions, 28 Asymptomatic cases, 208 mild-to-moderate cases, 31 severe cases and 2 cases in Intensive Care Unit. A total of 4 384 people received their 1st doses of vaccine. The cumulative number of the 1st dose vaccinated now stands at 4 099 793. A total of 3 889 recipients received their second dose bringing the cumulative number of 2nd dose recipients to 3 108 987. Active cases went down to 38 887. The total number of recoveries went up to 159 974 increasing by 4 325 recoveries. The recovery rate remained at 77%. The death toll went up to 4 885 after 14 deaths were recorded.
Critical Emerging Issue
Targeted Interventions for the Homeless
We continue to note the infections of COVID-19 that are presently in a spike which is occurring during a reported increase in flue cases. We accordingly draw attention to orphan and vulnerable children in particular those living on the streets. Furthermore, we draw attention to families and persons living on working in the streets who struggle to access health care services. We raise concerns with the recent rains that have increased the distress of families living and working in the streets. Furthermore, we note with concern the limited support through social welfare support services to actively reach out, test for the COVID-19 and administer vaccines to this critical and vulnerable community which is at high risk of COVID-19.
- We amplify our calls for direct support by health care teams working in tandem with social welfare community case care workers to reach out to families living in the streets to provide COVID-19 checks and health support for needs assessed.
- We continue to call for a full public report on the status of the persons in living and working on the streets their housing and their reunifications processes and measures to ensure that they are sufficiently able to access safeguarding mechanisms against COVID-19.
- We urge the announcement of mechanisms to protect those living and working on the streets against the spread of the virus, which includes a progress report on the vaccine roll-out targeting this special group.
Outstanding Issues
Super Spreader Events During the Festive Season
We note the continued celebrative mood throughout the country and urge the highest level of personal responsibility and adherence to COVID-19 safety protocols. We further urge an avoidance of super spreader events such as large scale and social and economic activities and gatherings. We continue to call for an amplification of the 2021 Festive Season COVID-19 Awareness Campaign to ensure that the nation collectively celebrates the festive holidays responsibly with a view to save lives.
We highlight the need to ensure;
- Control of infections at religious and family gatherings, parties, and weddings.
- Respect for the guidelines on numbers of persons at religious and family gatherings, weddings, funerals, and other events.
- Reduced travel where possible.
- Increased police enforcement of the present curfew, sanitization, wearing of masks and maintaining social distancing in market places, shopping centres and public transport.
Source: Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe
