695 days of the COVID-19 Lockdown, and as of 21st of February 2022, the Ministry of Health and Child Care reported that, the cumulative number of COVID-19 cases had increased to 233 571 after 219 new cases all local cases, were recorded. The highest case tally was recorded in Masvingo with 63 cases. We note that the Hospitalisation rate data as at 15:00hrs on 20 February 2022, was: 46 hospitalised cases: 9 New Admissions, 15 Asymptomatic cases, 27 mild-to-moderate cases, 4 severe cases and 0 case in Intensive Care Unit. A total of 1 709 people received their 1st doses of vaccine. The cumulative number of the 1st dose vaccinated now stands at 4 337 829. A total of 1 755 recipients received their second dose bringing the cumulative number of 2nd dose recipients to 3 370 827. A total of 1 738 people received their 3rd dose of vaccine shots bringing the cumulative for 3rd doses to 103 483. Active cases went down to 3 146. The recovery rate remains at 96%. The total number of recoveries went up to 225 039 increasing by 99 recoveries. The death toll remained at
5 386, as no new deaths were recorded.
Area of Concern
Slow Pace of Vaccination
We highlight the continued slow pace of the vaccination programme. We remain concerned that whilst in comparison to others Zimbabwe vaccination is performing well, we continue to gauge against our own national standards as set in the National Vaccination Program which we continue to fail to meet. With the reduction of the lockdown to level 2, resulting in increased socio-economic activities, the low levels of vaccination still present a clear and present danger to the potential rise of the pandemic once more. We continue to urge support for increased vaccination uptake including spread of vaccine centres to economic and social centres and a different messaging tools to ensure that those who seek vaccination are able to actually access vaccines.
- We call for Government to shed light on public concerns on the expiry rate of vaccines to dispel fears in the public domain.
- We call for the Government to support the storage facilities of vaccines in rural communities and other marginalised communities, to ensure meaningful inclusion of all marginalized groups considering the slow vaccination drive
- We call on various stakeholders to accelerate awareness raising initiatives to increase vaccine uptake.
Source: Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe
