673 days of the COVID-19 Lockdown, and as of 30th of January 2022, the Ministry of Health and Child Care reported that, the cumulative number of COVID-19 cases had increased to 229 460 after 45 new cases all local cases, were recorded. The highest case tally was recorded in Manicaland with 12 cases. We note that the Hospitalisation rate data as at 15:00hrs on 29 January 2022, was: 22 hospitalised cases: 3 New Admissions, 0 Asymptomatic cases, 15 mild-to-moderate cases, 5 severe cases and 2 cases in Intensive Care Unit. A total of 1 803 people received their 1st doses of vaccine. The cumulative number of the 1st dose vaccinated now stands at 4 267 550. A total of 1 600 recipients received their second dose bringing the cumulative number of 2nd dose recipients to 3 296 368. A total of 293 people received their 3rd dose of vaccine shots bringing the cumulative for 3rd doses to 55 381. Active cases went down to 5 798. The recovery rate remains at 95%. The total number of recoveries went up to 218 325 increasing by 153 recoveries. The death toll goes up to 5 337 after 4 deaths were recorded.
Area of Concern
Reduced media coverage of COVID-19
We note, with growing concern, reduced media coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic in Zimbabwe, as the Nation continues to roll-out the booster vaccination programme, with seemingly very little uptake from communities. We note that on 30th January 2022, only 293 persons received the booster shot. We highlight that success of the booster shot roll-out requires adequate community awareness-raising and for the media at large remain vigilant of the pandemic. We further note the COVID-19 fatigue not only amongst communities, but also amongst stakeholders, duty bearers, the media and information community. Cognisant of the key role played by the media in addressing matters of national concern;
- We call upon the media to remain vigilant to the pandemic in Zimbabwe.
- We call upon the editors and respective newsrooms to continue to prioritise the coverage and reporting of COVID-19 as we face difficulties in navigating the curve of infections.
- We urge robust grassroots information dissemination on the booster shots/third vaccine rollout.
Re-admission of girls into schools
As we consider the process of resumption of schools, we call for communities, parents, and guardians to give considered efforts to supporting girls to return to classrooms in response to the sharp increase of adolescent pregnancies driven by the COVID-19 conditions. We remind schooling communities and families of the need to mitigate the negative consequences of adolescent pregnancies on young girls through the protection of their right to education in real terms.
- We call upon Government to strengthen communications and services to community case care workers and Schools heads to ensure vulnerable adolescents are supported back into schools.
- We call upon parents and guardians to support young girls by insisting the families support their resumption of education.
- We call for a moratorium of fee increases which have serves to exacerbate abate the ability of student to return to schools due to the inability to afford the fee increases.
Source: Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe
