739 days of the COVID-19 Lockdown, and as of 6 April 2022, the Ministry of Health and Child Care reported that, the cumulative number of COVID-19 cases had increased to 246 803 after 59 new cases all local cases, were recorded. The highest case tally was recorded in Mash East and Mash West with 10 cases respectively. We note that the Hospitalisation rate data as at 15:00hrs on 5 April 2022, was: 22 hospitalised cases: 2 New Admissions, 3 Asymptomatic cases, 17 mild-to-moderate cases, 0 severe cases and 2 cases in Intensive Care Unit. 8 of the 22 hospitalized were vaccinated and 14 were not vaccinated. A total of 26 771 people received their 1st dose of vaccine. The cumulative number of the 1st dose vaccinated now stands at 5 611 886. A total of 5 175 recipients received their second dose bringing the cumulative number of 2nd dose recipients to 3 575 108. A total of 20 179 people received their 3rd dose of vaccine shots bringing the cumulative for 3rd doses to 496 960. Active cases went down to 2 224. The recovery rate remained at 97%. The total number of recoveries went up to 246 803 increasing by 59 recoveries. The death toll remained at 5 453, after 2 new deaths were recorded.
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