678 days of the COVID-19 Lockdown, and as of 5th of February 2022, the Ministry of Health and Child Care reported that, the cumulative number of COVID-19 cases had increased to 230 335 after 165 new cases all local cases, were recorded. The highest case tally was recorded in Manicaland with 50 cases. We note that the Hospitalisation rate data as at 15:00hrs on 3 February 2022, was: 55 hospitalised cases: 15 New Admissions, 3 Asymptomatic cases, 46 mild-to-moderate cases, 6 severe cases and 0 cases in Intensive Care Unit. A total of 5 814 people received their 1st doses of vaccine. The cumulative number of the 1st dose vaccinated now stands at 4 287 719. A total of 5 169 recipients received their second dose bringing the cumulative number of 2nd dose recipients to 3 316 373. A total of 2 836 people received their 3rd dose of vaccine shots bringing the cumulative for 3rd doses to 65 614. Active cases went down to 4 152. The recovery rate rises to 96%. The total number of recoveries went up to 220 823 increasing by 468 recoveries. The death toll goes up to 5 360 after 3 deaths were recorded.
Area of Concern
Re-Admission of Girls into Schools
As we note the imminent resumption of schools, we call for communities, parents and guardians to give considered efforts to supporting girls to return to classrooms in response to the sharp increase of adolescent pregnancies driven by the COVID-19 conditions. We remind schooling communities and families of the need to mitigate the negative consequences of adolescent pregnancies on young girls through the protection of their right to education in real terms.
- We call upon Government to strengthen communications and services to community case care workers and Schools heads to ensure vulnerable adolescents are supported back into schools.
- We call upon parents and guardians to support young girls by insisting the families support their resumption of education.
- We call for a moratorium of fee increases which have serves to exacerbate abate the ability of student to return to schools due to the inability to afford the fee increases.
By-Elections and Adherence to COVID-19 Safety Protocols
We continue to note various electoral activities by stakeholders in preparation of the Elections to be held on 26 March 2022. We continue to underscore the importance of ensuring that citizens are afforded the opportunity to freely exercise their democratic right to vote, campaign and contest, while at the same time prioritising safety and protection from COVID-19.
- We urge the timeous publishing of a Guidance note from ZEC for guiding the electorate and candidates in order to ensure their safe and equal participation in the By-Elections during COVID-19.
- We urge political parties and other stakeholders to be alive to the challenging COVID-19 context, and to conduct their activities in preparation of the By-Elections, in a manner that does note plunge the country into another potential wave.
- We urge uniform enforcement of the COVID-19 Regulations, and equal treatment before the law for all citizens’ political parties and stakeholders during this period.
Source: Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe
