713 days of the COVID-19 Lockdown, and as of 11th March 2022, the Ministry of Health and Child Care reported that, the cumulative number of COVID-19 cases had increased to 242 069 after 521 new cases all local cases, were recorded. The highest case tally was recorded in Mashonaland East with 123 cases. We note that the Hospitalisation rate data as at 15:00hrs on 10 March 2022, was: 64 hospitalised cases: 8 New Admissions, 5 Asymptomatic cases, 54 mild-to-moderate cases, 5 severe cases and 0 cases in Intensive Care Unit. A total of 4 352 people received their 1st dose of vaccine. The cumulative number of the 1st dose vaccinated now stands at 4 390 563. A total of 4 627 recipients received their second dose bringing the cumulative number of 2nd dose recipients to 3 422 802. A total of 4 241 people received their 3rd dose of vaccine shots bringing the cumulative for 3rd doses to 156 444. Active cases went up to 5 219. The recovery rate remains at 96%. The total number of recoveries went up to 231 438 increasing by 426 recoveries. The death toll went up to 5 412, after 4 new deaths were recorded.
Area of Concern
Guidelines for exiting the national lockdown
We continue to note, with growing concern, reduced media coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic in Zimbabwe, as the Nation moves to relax lockdown conditions, amidst increased electoral activities throughout the country, with little adherence to COVID-19 safety protocols . We further continue to witness unrestricted socio-economic activities, such as free cross-border movements. We interpret these developments to be an indication of an imminent lifting of the lockdown, and as such anticipate that Government is forging a pathway out of Lockdown, which has been in place since March 2020. At the same time, we note that international best practices have indicated that the immediate period post-lifting of restrictions, results in flash of COVID-19 cases. We therefore call for an advanced public engagement strategy to guide the nation out of lockdown.
- We urge an adequately supported health system and supply chains to ensure the capacity of health personnel to meet the anticipated spike in demand of services.
- We call for clear guidelines which ensure that mandatory mask wearing and social distancing mandates remain in place.
- We further urge the retention of sanitisation services and support across the country regardless of lockdown restrictions.
Source: Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe
