Lockdown measures tightened amid surging infections
The Chronicle
15/12/2021
Harare Bureau
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa yesterday extended the Covid-19 level two national lockdown by a further two weeks, citing the a rapid rise in infections driven by the new Omicron variant, and moderately tightening the lockdown by scaling down Government activities, enforcing masks for all private and public commuters and asking businesses to implement earlier festive season shutdowns than usual.
The President said over the last two weeks, Zimbabwe had seen a 472 percent surge in new Covid-19 cases, with 28 904 of those being recorded last week alone, compared to the 5 055 cases the week before.
“The last genomic sequencing has linked all the cases to the highly transmissible new Omicron variant.
Though the majority of the positive cases have mild disease, the numbers are very high, and the proportion of the moderate to severe disease is likely to overwhelm our case management capacity, given our acute depletion of specialised human resources in our health institutions,” he said.
As a result, the President said the Government extended the current lockdown for a further two weeks, with extra measures put in place: scaling down all Government activities to 30 percent, except for essential services; commuters to wear face masks in both public and private transport settings, coupled with strict law enforcement of this critical public health measure; hotels and lodges to provide room services to their clients, as opposed to gathering in restaurants and bars without face masks; businesses that are subject to annual shutdown were encouraged to close early for the festive season, at least by Unity Day on December 22.
The President said those eligible for Covid-19 vaccination, including the booster shot, should be vaccinated and encouraged the public to continue adhering to all the recommended public health preventive measures, such as wearing face masks properly, avoiding closed spaces, avoiding crowded gatherings, washing of hands with soap and running water, sanitizing and social distancing.
These measures are subject to review after two weeks.
Covid-19: Govt suspends face-to-face meetings, extends lockdown
The Chronicle4-4 minutes 12/15/2021
The Chronicle
GOVERNMENT has suspended all face-to-face meetings at all its departments with end-of-year planning and other critical meetings set to be held virtually in an effort to contain a fourth wave driven by the new Covid-19 variant, Omicron.
The Covid-19 lockdown measures have also been extended by another two weeks while the enforcement of all regulations will be strengthened.
As of Monday, the country’s cumulative Covid-19 cases stood at 167 140 with 129 776 recoveries and 4 738 deaths.
The recovery rate was 78 percent with 32 626 active cases having been recorded. The number of new cases increased during the week under review, with 28 904 cases recorded compared to 5 055 cases the previous week.
An average of 4 014 new cases were reported per day compared to 723 cases the previous week.
However, the case fatality rate has gone down to 2,9 percent during the week under review from 3,4 percent the previous week.
Prevention measures being implemented such as vaccination continue to contribute to the reduction in the severe impact of the virus.
Areas that recorded significant numbers of new infections include Harare with 8 363 cases, Mashonaland East (3 546), Mashonaland West (2 992), and Bulawayo (2 670).
The total number of new confirmed Covid-19 cases reported through the school surveillance system increased to 1 526 compared to 1 086 the previous week.
However, there were no deaths reported.
The cumulative total number of confirmed cases now stands at 5 711 with 4 893 learners and 818 staff members spread across 582 schools.
In her post-Cabinet briefing yesterday, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa urged communities at all levels to remain vigilant and to continue adhering to Covid-19 prevention measures.
“In view of the marked increase in the recorded number of daily new cases, the public is advised that the following measures have been agreed to: all Government departments will stop face to face meetings and all the remaining end of year planning and other such critical meetings shall be held virtually,” she said.
“Covid-19 lockdown measures have been extended by another two weeks and a statement will be released.”
Minister Mutsvangwa said Cabinet received an update on the country’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic and a report on the procurement and roll-out of vaccines, as presented by Vice-President and Health and Child Care Minister Constantino Chiwenga in his capacity as chairman of the Ministers’ Covid-19 national committee.
“Regarding the national vaccination programme, Cabinet wishes to inform the public that as of 13 December 2021, a total of 3 956 020 first doses of the Covid-19 vaccine had been administered, while 2 976 972 people had received their second dose.
“Pertaining to the update on procurement of the Covid-19 vaccines, a total of 2,5 million Sinopharm doses were received from China during the week,” she said.
“The Ministry of Health and Child Care continues to work closely with the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development to track vaccine stocks to ensure that the country does not run out of vaccines.”
Minister Mutsvangwa said there are adequate stocks of vaccines for the benefit of all Zimbabweans.
She said the Indian Embassy, in fulfillment of their pledge to deliver a donation of 40 000 doses of Covaxin, has confirmed the consignment is scheduled to arrive in the country tomorrow. — @mashnets