675 days of the COVID-19 Lockdown, and as of 1st of February 2022, the Ministry of Health and Child Care reported that, the cumulative number of COVID-19 cases had increased to 229 851 after 185 new cases all local cases, were recorded. The highest case tally was recorded in Masvingo with 59 cases. We note that the Hospitalisation rate data as at 15:00hrs on 31 January 2022, was: 81 hospitalised cases: 17 New Admissions, 4 Asymptomatic cases, 71 mild-to-moderate cases, 4 severe cases and 2 cases in Intensive Care Unit. A total of 3 894 people received their 1st doses of vaccine. The cumulative number of the 1st dose vaccinated now stands at 4 274 377. A total of 4 145 recipients received their second dose bringing the cumulative number of 2nd dose recipients to 3 303 773. A total of 2 334 people received their 3rd dose of vaccine shots bringing the cumulative for 3rd doses to 58 792. Active cases went down to 4 725. The recovery rate remains at 95%. The total number of recoveries went up to 219 776 increasing by 325 recoveries. The death toll goes up to 5 350 after 12 deaths were recorded.
Area of Concern
Omicron sub-variants
We highlight the WHO reports regarding the Omicron sub variants BA.2. We seek to ensure adequate awareness regarding a variant that has been traced already to 52 countries around the world. We note the reported higher transmissibility rate of the variant which requires greater adherence to anti-COVID-19 procedures. We note with concern that COVID-19 cases fuelled by the sub-variants are widely in reported in Europe and Asia. We raise awareness further that the sub-variant is often reported as “the stealth variant”. While we note the reports indicating that the severity of the sub-variants is still being traced, we highlight WHO warning that countries must not decrease their vigilance and must not de-prioritise the response to COVID-19 at present. Accordingly, amplify calls that anti-COVID-19 procedures must be respected and vaccination prioritised.
- We therefore call for the up-scaling of the COVID-19 vaccination programme.
- We call for persistent and consistent monitoring of Variants of Concern and Variants of Interest in Zimbabwe.
- We urge improved information-sharing and publishing of genomic sequencing results in Zimbabwe to the general public.
Source: Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe
