Harare (New Ziana) – The Delta variant, a more deadly and highly infectious mutation of COVID-19, has been detected in at least 80 percent of new Coronavirus infections identified in Zimbabwe in the past few weeks.

Zimbabwe has witnessed a spike in new cases as the Delta variant, which originated in India, continues to wreak havoc across the world.

Announcing an extension of the current level four lockdown by a further two weeks, President Emmerson Mnangagwa called for more vigilance in the face of the renewed COVID-19 onslaught.

“The highly transmittable delta variant is now circulating in our communities. Latest genomic sequencing results received last week indicate that approximately 80 percent of the fresh cases in Zimbabwe are now due to the delta variant,” he said

“Cases and deaths are continuing to increase at an alarming rate. A quick assessment on the ground points to a number of factors contributing to this surge. First, complacency by communities in adhering to the prevention measures including the lockdown and basic World Health Organisation protocols such as proper wearing of masks, washing of hands and social distancing.

“The situation has been made worse by loopholes in enforcing lockdown measures and all other recommended prevention measures.”

In light of this, President Mnangagwa said the vaccination programme would be ramped up.

“The plan to maintain the current level 4 will make it possible for the immediate acceleration of the vaccination programme throughout the country. The programme will now be taken to communities making vaccination easily accessible to those seeking this essential service,” he said.

“The additional two million vaccine doses that were received this past week are enough to vaccinate a million people with each receiving the recommended two doses. The plan is to immediately vaccinate this targeted one million people during this extended two week level four lock period.”
New Ziana