COVID-19 pandemic in Zimbabwe

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COVID-19 pandemic in Zimbabwe
DiseaseCOVID-19
Virus strainSARS-CoV-2
LocationZimbabwe
Index caseVictoria Falls
Arrival date20 March 2020
(4 years, 1 month, 3 weeks and 5 days)
Confirmed cases512 (as of 22 June)[1]
Active cases442 (as of 22 June)
Recovered64 (as of 22 June)
Deaths
6 (as of 22 June)

The COVID-19 pandemic was confirmed to have reached Zimbabwe in March 2020. Some of Zimbabwe's provinces, especially Manicaland, Masvingo and Mashonaland East, also struggled with a malaria outbreak at the same time. Though malaria is treatable, the healthcare system faces drug shortages and increased strain with the spread of COVID-19.[2]

Background

On 12 January 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed that a novel coronavirus was the cause of a respiratory illness in a cluster of people in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China, which was reported to the WHO on 31 December 2019.[3][4]

The case fatality ratio for COVID-19 has been much lower than SARS of 2003,[5][6] but the transmission has been significantly greater, with a significant total death toll.[7][5]

Timeline

March 2020

On 21 March, Zimbabwe reported its first COVID-19 case: a male resident of Victoria Falls who travelled back from the UK via South Africa on 15 March.[8] No deaths have been reported initially, as erroneously indicated in some sources since the patient continues with self-isolation at home and showing signs of recovery.[9]

Two more cases in the country were confirmed on 21 March, both in Harare.[10] On the 23 March, it was confirmed that noted Zimbabwean journalist Zororo Makamba was the first person in the country to die from the virus.[11][12][13]

April 2020

After Zororo's death, two more people died, increasing the number of deaths to three.[14] Due to a shortage of protective medical equipment Zimbabwean doctors filed a lawsuit against the government so that they are adequately protected when treating infected patients.[15] On 13 April, three more cases were reported, resulting in the number of cases in the country to total to 17.[16]

At least five journalists have been arrested for their coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic.[17]

June 2020

On 12 June, the India national cricket team announced that it was calling off its tour of Zimbabwe, scheduled for August 2020.[18]

Health minister, Obadiah Moyo, was arrested over US$4 million scandal alongside the president's son, Collins Mnangagwa, that involved improper procurement of personal protection equipment (PPE) for medical workers.[19]

Prevention measures and effects

Before there were any confirmed cases in the country, President Emmerson Mnangagwa had declared a national emergency, putting in place travel restrictions and banning large gatherings.[20][21] The country's defence minister, Oppah Muchinguri caused controversy by stating the corona virus could be a divine punishment on Western nations for imposing sanctions on Zimbabwe.[22]

On 23 March, President Mnangagwa announced additional measures:

  1. Closure of Zimbabwe's borders to all non-essential travel, except for returning residents and cargo;
  2. Closure of bars, nightclubs, cinemas, swimming pools, and sporting activities;[23]
  3. Restriction of all public gatherings to fewer than 50 people;[24]
  4. Restriction of hospital visits to no more than one per day.[25][26]

On 27 March the government announced that the country would go into a nationwide lockdown for 21 days from 30 March onwards.[27] The Victoria Falls viewing sites have also been closed as part of Zimbabwe and Zambia lock down measures.[28] Some of the restrictions of the 21-Day Lock down have been reversed; supermarkets are now allowed to sell alcohol once again.[28] On 18 April the Republic of Zimbabwe celebrate its 40th independence day under lock down for the first time in the country's history.[29] During the lockdown 201 malaria outbreaks were reported, 90 were controlled resulting in 131 people dying.[30]

The IMF estimated that the Zimbabwean economy would probably contract by 7.4% in 2020 largely due to the impact of the pandemic.[31]

Prevention and treatment was negatively impacted by a medical workers strike in the first quarter of 2020 due to a lack of PPE.[32]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Zimbabwe Coronavirus - Worldometer". www.worldometers.info. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
  2. ^ "Zimbabwe faces malaria outbreak as it locks down to counter coronavirus". The Guardian. 21 April 2020.
  3. ^ Elsevier. "Novel Coronavirus Information Center". Elsevier Connect. Archived from the original on 30 January 2020. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
  4. ^ Reynolds, Matt (4 March 2020). "What is coronavirus and how close is it to becoming a pandemic?". Wired UK. ISSN 1357-0978. Archived from the original on 5 March 2020. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
  5. ^ a b "Crunching the numbers for coronavirus". Imperial News. Archived from the original on 19 March 2020. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
  6. ^ "High consequence infectious diseases (HCID); Guidance and information about high consequence infectious diseases and their management in England". GOV.UK. Archived from the original on 3 March 2020. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
  7. ^ "World Federation Of Societies of Anaesthesiologists – Coronavirus". www.wfsahq.org. Archived from the original on 12 March 2020. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
  8. ^ Marsh, Kevin Rawlinson (now); Sarah; Quinn, Ben; Perraudin, Frances; Farrer (earlier), Martin; Greenfield, Patrick; Cowie, Sam; Wintour, Patrick; Wintour, Patrick; Willsher, Kim (20 March 2020). "Coronavirus live updates: global cases top quarter of a million, as Italy sees biggest daily rise in deaths". The Guardian. Retrieved 20 March 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  9. ^ "BREAKING NEWS: Zimbabwe Confirms Its First Case Of Coronavirus… More Results Pending". iharare.com. 20 March 2020. Retrieved 21 March 2020.
  10. ^ "BREAKING: Two new coronavirus cases confirmed in Harare". Bulawayo24 News. Retrieved 21 March 2020.
  11. ^ Maphanga, Canny (23 March 2020). "Journalist Zororo Makamba becomes Zimbabwe's first Covid-19 death". News24. Retrieved 23 March 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  12. ^ "Journalist is first person in Zimbabwe to die from Covid-19". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 23 March 2020.
  13. ^ Daniels, Lou-Anne (23 March 2020). "Media personality Zororo Makamba becomes first Zimbabwe coronavirus fatality". www.iol.co.za. Retrieved 23 March 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  14. ^ HealthZW, Ministry of (8 April 2020). "COVID-19 Update: As at 8 April Zimbabwe had 11 confirmed cases, including three (3) deaths.pic.twitter.com/pNuyCrNBDM". @MoHCCZim. Retrieved 9 April 2020.
  15. ^ "Coronavirus: Zimbabwe doctors sue over 'dire shortage' of protective gear". News24. 7 April 2020. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  16. ^ ___. "Just In- Zimbabwe's Coronavirus Positive Cases Rise To 17 | ZimEye". Retrieved 13 April 2020. {{cite web}}: |last= has numeric name (help)
  17. ^ "Press freedom violations throughout Africa linked to Covid-19 coverage". Radio France Internationale. 14 April 2020.
  18. ^ Desk, India com Sports (12 June 2020). "COVID-19: After SL Series Postponement, BCCI Calls Off India's Tour of Zimbabwe". india.com. Retrieved 15 June 2020.
  19. ^ "Zimbabwe's health minister arrested in COVID-19 graft case". Business Insider. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
  20. ^ "Zimbabwe, Namibia Declare National Emergencies Over Virus". Bloomberg. 17 March 2020. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
  21. ^ "Zimbabwe's President declares COVID-19 a national disaster". Xinhua. 17 March 2020. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
  22. ^ "Zimbabwe, Namibia Declare National Emergencies Over Virus". GulfNews. 15 March 2020. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
  23. ^ 3-mob.com (23 March 2020). "#COVID19: Nightclubs, bars banned, borders closed in Zimbabwe". Three Men On A Boat. Retrieved 10 May 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  24. ^ News, A. B. C. "In Zimbabwe, 'you win coronavirus or you win starvation'". ABC News. Retrieved 10 May 2020. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  25. ^ Chirisa, Sharon (24 March 2020). "Coronavirus Zim Update: Ministry Of Health Statement". iHarare. Retrieved 24 March 2020.
  26. ^ Chingono, Nyasha; Busari, Stephanie (24 March 2020). "Prominent 30-year-old Zimbabwe broadcaster dies of coronavirus". CNN. Retrieved 24 March 2020.
  27. ^ "Zimbabwe to go on total lockdown from Monday to combat coronavirus". www.iol.co.za. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
  28. ^ a b "Zimbabwe". BBC News. Retrieved 12 April 2020.
  29. ^ "Zimbabwe celebrates 40th independence under lockdown". www.aa.com.tr. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
  30. ^ "Zimbabwe: 131 die from malaria amid COVID-19 pandemic". www.aa.com.tr. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
  31. ^ ZWINOIRA, TATIRA (16 April 2020). "Economy to contract by 7,4% : IMF". Zimbabwe Situation. NewsDay Zimbabwe. Retrieved 9 May 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  32. ^ "Zimbabwe billionaire offers health workers support in coronavirus fight". news.yahoo.com. Retrieved 22 June 2020.

External links

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