The latest report by ZESN gives an overview of Covid-19 related developments for November and December. Also highlighted is the impact of the pandemic on the health sector as well as political activities during the lockdown period. Read on to get more on these and other issues.
This report covers developments that occurred in the last two weeks of November and the first two weeks of December 2021, as reported by ZESN LTOs. ZESN hopes that the report will complement the information available for use in the development and reinforcement of strategies aimed at safeguarding the health of citizens during the COVID-19 pandemic. The period saw an increase in the number of people contracting the COVID-19 virus. For example, there were 40 new cases on 28/11/2021; 255 new cases on 29/11/2021; 399 new cases on 30/11/2021; 712 new cases on 01/12/2021; 1042 new cases on 02/12/2021; 1062 new cases on 03/12/2021; and 1082 new cases on 04/12/2021.
Impact of Covid-19 on the Health Sector
Whereas local health facilities were reported to have continued offering services as before the COVID-19 era, reports of drug shortages were received from some constituencies such as Mt Darwin South, Muzarabani, Goromonzi North, Chimanimani West, Glen View North, Gutu South, Mutare North, Masvingo Urban, Mt Darwin West, Mazowe North, Masvingo West, and Magunje Constituencies.According to the LTO reports, women were receiving antenatal and postnatal treatment at health facilities in their constituencies.
Elections in the Age of Covid-19
Unofficial pronouncements by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) and Government officials indicated that the indefinite suspension of by-elections is likely to be lifted in March 2022. During the reporting period, ZEC issued a press statement notifying stakeholders that the Commission’s offices countrywide would be temporarily closed from 11 to 19 December ‘as a measure to contain the spread of the COVID-19 virus among internal and external stakeholders. Nevertheless before this announcement ZESN LTOs has reported the visible presence of ZEC officials in various constituencies who were either conducting stakeholder engagement meetings or pre-delimitation related fieldwork.
Access the full report here (449KB PDF)
Source: Zimbabwe Election Support Network