731 days of the COVID-19 Lockdown, and as of 30th March 2022, the Ministry of Health and Child Care reported that, the cumulative number of COVID-19 cases had increased to 246 042 after 115 new cases all local cases, were recorded. The highest case tally was recorded in Mashonaland West with 25 cases. We note that the Hospitalisation rate data as at 15:00hrs on 28th March 2022, was: 32 hospitalised cases: 3 New Admissions, 4 Asymptomatic cases, 26 mild-to-moderate cases, 2 severe cases and 0 cases in Intensive Care Unit. 15 of the 32 hospitalized were vaccinated and 17 were not vaccinated. A total of 77 681 people received their 1st dose of vaccine. The cumulative number of the 1st dose vaccinated now stands at 5 049 222. A total of 8 763 recipients received their second dose bringing the cumulative number of 2nd dose recipients to 3 507 194. A total of 18 925 people received their 3rd dose of vaccine shots bringing the cumulative for 3rd doses to 307 608. Active cases went down to 3 059. The recovery rate remains at 96%. The total number of recoveries went up to 237 554 increasing by 249 recoveries. The death toll went up to 5 439, after 1 new death was recorded.
We are pleased to note that yesterday, the country hit a great milestone by reaching the 5 million mark of persons receiving the 1st dose of the vaccine. As of yesterday, a cumulative total of 5 049 222 persons had received the 1st dose of the vaccine.
Area of Concern
Guidelines for Exiting COVID-19 Lockdown
We continue to note Government’s increasing measures on relaxing COVID-19 Containment Regulations. Given these developments, coupled with the context where we have witnessed unrestricted socio-political activities, we legitimately 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 cases, as a result of highly expanded social and economic activities.
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 further urge the retention of sanitisation services and support across the country regardless of lockdown restrictions.
Source: WCoZ
