Zimbabwe Lockdown: Day 557 – WCOZ Situation Report

557 days of the COVID-19 Lockdown, and as of 6th of October 2021, the Ministry of Health and Child Care reported that, the cumulative number of COVID-19 cases had increased to 131 434 after 99 new cases all local cases, were recorded. The highest case tally was recorded in Manicaland with 24 cases. We note that the Hospitalisation rate as at 15:00hrs on 5 October 2021 was 83 hospitalised cases: 6 New Admissions, 5 Asymptomatic cases, 60 mild-to-moderate cases, 16 severe cases and 2 cases in Intensive Care Units.

Active cases went down to 2 473. The total number of recoveries went up to 124 331 increasing by 218 recoveries. The recovery rate goes up to 95%. A total of 11 788 people received their 1st doses of vaccine. The cumulative number of the 1st dose vaccinated now stands at 3 140 685. A total of 15 257 recipients received their second dose bringing the cumulative number of 2nd dose recipients to 2 358 223. The death toll went up to 4 630 after 1 new death was recorded.

Critical Emerging Issue

Removal of Zimbabwe from UK Red List

We welcome the removal of Zimbabwe from the UK Red List effective Monday the 11th of October 2021. We commend the Government of the United Kingdom and the engagements undertaken by the Government of Zimbabwe to support the COVID-19 response and reporting efforts to provide support to the appropriate listing of Zimbabwe. We note that the removal does not only represent the best interests of the citizens of both countries, but significantly contribute to economic recovery efforts including travel, tourism, and leisure industries for both countries.

• We call upon a revision of the listing of Zimbabwe in other various western countries.
• We continue to call for full recognition of WHO approved developing-country manufactured vaccines.

Outstanding issues

Rise of Vaccination Cards Black Market

We highlight with concern the blanket mandatory vaccination orders being enforced in the public and private sector and being driven by limited access to an increasing number of socio –economic activities and spaces. We are concerned by the mandatory vaccination orders which are not supported by an expanded and responsive vaccination program. We applaud the efforts of various societies in engaging with the public and undertaking significant public health awareness initiatives on the importance of vaccination. However, awareness alone will not deliver jabs in arms.
Furthermore, we are concerned with increased reports of individuals who are opting into the black market to secure vaccination cards as proof of vaccines without getting vaccinated. We note with concern that the increased pressure being created by the resumption of schools means that instances of trading in vaccination cards without vaccination are on the rise driven by sector mandates and schools’ mandates for both learners and teachers requiring fully vaccinated communities which is driving the demand for vaccination.

We highlight reports indicating that the costs of the vaccine cards are cheaper than the USD$30 to USD$60 PCR tests as they are reportedly being sold for between USD$15 to USD$20.

• We continue to call for an expansion for the vaccination program with support to resettlement communities, agricultural services centres, grain depots and collection points, we call for mobile centres in mining communities and in new housing settlements.
• We call a revision of information strategies in addressing those with concerns regarding getting vaccinated. We call for the provision of vaccines to those in schools and education centres without vaccination mandates barring their entry.

Source: Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe