741 days of the COVID-19 Lockdown, and as of 8 April 2022, the Ministry of Health and Child Care reported that, the cumulative number of COVID-19 cases had increased to 246 925 after 55 new cases all local cases, were recorded. The highest case tally was recorded in Matebeleland North with 9 cases. We note that the Hospitalisation rate data as at 15:00hrs on 7 April 2022, was: 19 hospitalised cases: 7 New Admissions, 0 Asymptomatic cases, 18 mild-to-moderate cases, 0 severe cases and 1 cases in Intensive Care Unit. 7 of the 19 hospitalized were vaccinated and 12 were not vaccinated. A total of 37 215 people received their 1st dose of vaccine. The cumulative number of the 1st dose vaccinated now stands at 5 661 914. A total of 4 992 recipients received their second dose bringing the cumulative number of 2nd dose recipients to 3 582 951. A total of 12 193 people received their 3rd dose of vaccine shots bringing the cumulative for 3rd doses to 518 618. Active cases went down to 1 279. The recovery rate remained at 97%. The total number of recoveries went up to 240 925 increasing by 605 recoveries. The death toll went up to 5 457, after 2 new deaths were recorded.
Area of Concern
Testing Tracing and Reporting Mechanisms
We highlight gaps in the national Testing, Tracing and reporting system. Whilst we note the daily reports which present the COVID-19 tests undertaken, we raise concerns regarding the under testing that may be occurring in instances where health facilities are treating for COVID-19 symptoms without necessarily testing. We note that the response to treatment is critical when a patients presents with COVID-19 symptoms however ,we draw attention to the gap in data it creates. We also note the under reporting the variants and sub-variants that may be in circulation in country. Presently many communities have members referencing problematic flues and colds. With limited testing and publication of variants and sub-variants in risks in data gaps and response mechanisms may be of concern. Despite the clear COVID-19 fatigue in the country, we continue to call for increased vigilance in the testing and tracing of COVID-19.
- We continue to call for the publication of the sero-prevalence and genomic testing reports from survey recently undertaken but whose reports are outstanding the public domain.
Source: WCoZ
