719 days of the COVID-19 Lockdown, and as of 17th March 2022, the Ministry of Health and Child Care reported that, the cumulative number of COVID-19 cases had increased to 244 012 after 362 new cases all local cases, were recorded. The highest case tally was recorded in Mashonaland West with 86 cases. We note that the Hospitalisation rate data as at 15:00hrs on 16 March 2022, was: 68 hospitalised cases: 9 New Admissions, 9 Asymptomatic cases, 54 mild-to-moderate cases, 5 severe cases and 0 cases in Intensive Care Unit, 18 of the 68 hospitalized were vaccinated and 50 were not vaccinated. A total of 2 746 people received their 1st dose of vaccine. The cumulative number of the 1st dose vaccinated now stands at 4 409 406. A total of 1 899 recipients received their second dose bringing the cumulative number of 2nd dose recipients to 3 437 308. A total of 2 445 people received their 3rd dose of vaccine shots bringing the cumulative for 3rd doses to 171 954. Active cases went up to 5 131. The recovery rate goes up to 96%. The total number of recoveries went up to 233 461 increasing by 197 recoveries. The death toll went up to 5 420, after 2 new death was recorded.
Area of Concern
Long COVID-19 in Zimbabwe
Noting, with commendation, the high rate of recoveries in Zimbabwe, we call on medical communities and the public to increase awareness a “Long COVID” a phenomenon experienced by both severe and mild COVID-19 patients who continue to experience negative health experiences weeks and months after they have been marked as recovered.
We highlight, ongoing research findings, which indicate that Long-COVID-19 sufferers must receive support and increase the training of the healthcare workers of the phenomenon.
We further highlight, for critical attention medical sector reports that indicate that Long-COVID-19 has been found in persons who had not been tested or recorded as positive for COVID-19 initially and in persons who had not been hospitalised at all.
- We continue to call for the support to the development of rehabilitation programs to those to those experiencing Long COVID
- We support calls for direct support to the development of community-based responses or programs for Long COVID especially as COVID-19 has become a largely home-based care illness in the country with devastating consequences for communities.
- We support calls for the expansion of access of marginalized or impoverished populations to health services for Long COVID.
- We amplify calls for clear announcements on contemporary research in management and treatment practices for Long COVID in the discipline of General Medicine, Psychiatry, Psychology and Physiotherapy.
Source: Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe
