COVID-19 pandemic in Zimbabwe

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]

COVID-19 pandemic in Zimbabwe
DiseaseCOVID-19
Virus strainSARS-CoV-2
LocationZimbabwe
Index caseVictoria Falls
Arrival date20 March 2020
(3 months, 1 week and 1 day)
Confirmed cases567 (as of 27 June)[1]
Active cases419 (as of 27 June)
Recovered142 (as of 27 June)
Deaths
6 (as of 27 June)

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 27 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. "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.
  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.
  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.
  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.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  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.
  24. News, A. B. C. "In Zimbabwe, 'you win coronavirus or you win starvation'". ABC News. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  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. "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.
  32. "Zimbabwe billionaire offers health workers support in coronavirus fight". news.yahoo.com. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
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