COVID-19 continues to stalk the country, Government warns

Harare (New Ziana) –At least two deaths were recorded over the past week as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to stalk the country although it is largely under control, the government has said.

According to a media brief by the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services on Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting, two deaths were recorded in the past week as was the case in the previous one.

Acting Health and Child Care who is also Minister of State for Presidential Affairs and Monitoring Implementation of Government Programs Dr Jorum Gumbo told Cabinet that the country needs to continue prioritizing vaccinations despite the pandemic being under control.

Zimbabwe’s cumulative COVID-19 cases had reached 265 152, with 259 195 recoveries and 5 695 deaths representing a 98 percent recovery rate with 262 active cases recorded.

The cumulative number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered had reached 7 331 697 for the first dose, 5 493 480 for the second dose, and 2 130 998 for the third dose giving a national vaccination coverage of 65.2 percent from 65.1 percent the previous week.

Cabinet then directed that provincial health teams integrate COVID-19 surveillance with that for other respiratory diseases and intensify COVID-19 testing in light of increased respiratory infections during the winter period.

Vaccination activities are to be intensified in all provinces with support from the Provincial Affairs and Devolution ministers. Communities were urged to prioritise getting vaccinated while protecting themselves by adhering to all recommended COVID-19 Public Health and Social Measures.

Turning to cholera, of which Zimbabwe has recorded 15 deaths from a total 2 076 reported cases, reflecting a 2.3 percent fatality rate, Dr Gumbo told Cabinet that although all 10 provinces had recorded positive cases, Manicaland, Matabeleland South and Harare provinces contributed 83 of the country’s cases.

Deaths were recorded in Manicaland with 8, Harare,3, Mashonaland Central, 2, with Mashonaland West and Masvingo provinces reporting a single fatality each.
A cumulative 154 317 suspected cholera cases have been reported on the African continent, with 2 747 deaths, reflecting a Case Fatality Rate of 1.78 percent.

“In light of the continued increase in cholera cases, Cabinet has resolved that the multi-sectoral approach to responding to the cholera outbreak be continued with a focus to address water and sanitation; and that the Ministry of Health and Child Care, working closely with the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, intensify timely releases of funds to facilitate the cholera comprehensive response,”

New Ziana