744 days of the COVID-19 Lockdown, and as of 11 April 2022, the Ministry of Health and Child Care reported that, the cumulative number of COVID-19 cases had increased to 247 010 after 37 new cases all local cases, were recorded. The highest case tally was recorded in Mashonaland West with 8 cases. We note that the Hospitalisation rate data as at 15:00hrs on 10 April 2022, was: 18 hospitalised cases: 1 New Admissions, 0 Asymptomatic cases, 12 mild-to-moderate cases, 0 severe cases and 6 cases in Intensive Care Unit. 4 of the 18 hospitalized were vaccinated and 14 were not vaccinated. A total of 12 250 people received their 1st dose of vaccine. The cumulative number of the 1st dose vaccinated now stands at 5 730 327. A total of 1 130 recipients received their second dose bringing the cumulative number of 2nd dose recipients to 3 597 602. A total of 4 961 people received their 3rd dose of vaccine shots bringing the cumulative for 3rd doses to 539 837. Active cases went down to 1 054. The recovery rate remained at 97%. The total number of recoveries went up to 240 496 increasing by 157 recoveries. The death toll goes up to 5 460, after 3 new deaths were recorded.
Area of Concern
Long COVID-19 in Zimbabwe
Noting Zimbabwe’s documented 240 496 recoveries thus far, we are concerned regarding the quality of life and health of “Long COVID” sufferers. We continue to highlight this 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 also in persons who had not been hospitalised at all.
- We reiterate our calls for the Ministry of Health and Child Care, through the COVID-19 Treatment and management Committee to update the nation on the tracing and treatment of patients with Long COVID-19 in Zimbabwe
- 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: WCoZ
