Zimbabwe Lockdown: Day 692– WCOZ Situation Report

692 days of the COVID-19 Lockdown, and as of 18th of February 2022, the Ministry of Health and Child Care reported that, the cumulative number of COVID-19 cases had increased to 233 030 after 432 new cases all local cases, were recorded. The highest case tally was recorded in Masvingo with 129 cases. We note that the Hospitalisation rate data as at 15:00hrs on 17 February 2022, was: 40 hospitalised cases: 12 New Admissions, 1 Asymptomatic case, 36 mild-to-moderate cases, 3 severe cases and 0 cases in Intensive Care Unit. A total of 5 079 people received their 1st doses of vaccine. The cumulative number of the 1st dose vaccinated now stands at 4 331 869. A total of 5 283 recipients received their second dose bringing the cumulative number of 2nd dose recipients to 3 364 377. A total of 4 832 people received their 3rd dose of vaccine shots bringing the cumulative for 3rd doses to 97 354. Active cases went up to 2 972. The recovery rate remains at 96%. The total number of recoveries went up to 224 637 increasing by 348 recoveries. The death toll goes up to 5 385 after 4 deaths were recorded.

We note that direct coverage of the outbreaks has included the 66 new cases arising from schools in Masvingo 41, Matebeleland North 14, Manicaland 6, Mash Central 4 and Mash West 1.

Area of Concern

Increased social activities and non-compliance with COVID-19 prevention measures

We continue to note the growing practice of non-adherence to safety measures such as physical distancing, sanitization of workplaces, wearing of facemasks and regular temperature checks. Our networks have also raised concern over some commuter operators plying long distance routes failing to maintain public health safety protocols such as physical distancing, and sanitization. This raises concern especially in a context where COVID-19 is quickly gaining ground in schools and tertiary institutions. We therefore worry that such complacency displayed by the public, businesses and employers may plunge the country into another wave of COVID-19.

• We applaud enforcement agents to strengthening efforts to ensure adherence to COVID-19 prevention measures.
• We urge citizens to observe public health guidelines as they meet and interact in public places such as drinking spots and beerhalls.
• We continue to call for the strict implementation of public health safety protocols in the public transport system.

Source: Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe