Zim plunges into Covid-19 fourth wave

TINASHE MAKICHI/NYASHA KUNYISWA

Zimbabwe has plunged into a Covid-19 fourth wave following the emergence of the new Omicron variant which has fuelled a spike in new cases amid calls by experts and the government for citizens to be vaccinated.

Daily infections surged to 4996 on yesterday up from 2555 on Monday—the highest rate of new cases since Covid-19 was detected last year.

The number of hospitalised cases jumped to 214 on yesterday from 182 on Monday while the positivity rate raced to 35.3% from 30.4% on Monday.

Speaking at the official launch of the Buy Zimbabwe local summit held in the capital yesterday, Vice President Constantino Chiwenga said citizens should adhere to the Covid-19 World Health Organisation regulations.

“The fourth wave is with us now after we have faced the first wave in March 2020, second wave in October 2020 and third wave in November 2020,” Chiwenga said.

“The omicron variant consists of 32 spikes and scientists are still researching on the variant. Scientists are working to discover the origin of the Omicron variant,” Chiwenga said.

Despite the spike in cases, business said a hard lockdown is not an option as it has cost to business and central government in terms of lost revenue.

“That option [hard lockdown] is out. Both business and the government are not prepared for that,” said Christopher Mugaga, Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce CEO.

Last week,  President Emmerson Mnangagwa tightened measures making quarantine mandatory for returning citizens and visitors. Returning residents and citizens are compelled to undertake new PCR tests at ports of entry notwithstanding that they already had negative PCR prior to departure.

The detection of the Omicron variant by South African scientists has resulted in travel curbs with Europe, the US putting 10 Southern African countries including Zimbabwe on the red list. Experts say the travel curbs are no longer valid since the variant has been detected in more than 30 countries.

The spike in new cases locally has seen some organisations temporarily closing their doors as a precautionary measure.

The University of Zimbabwe will halt physical lectures today as it goes virtual with effect from tomorrow until the mid-semester break on December 17.

The Judicial Services Commission yesterday temporarily closed its head office and some Magistrates Court for two days to pave the way for disinfection of premises following the confirmation of Covid-19 cases.

The Zimbabwe College of Public Health Physicians (ZCPHP) recently said the surge in new cases suggests widespread community transmission.

“The ZCPHP advises the public of the surge in Covid-19 cases in recent days, from the average 32 cases per day in the previous week to an excess of 700 cases at the beginning of December 2021. These suggest an imminent fourth wave of the Covid-19 pandemic,” ZCPHP president Cleopas Chimbetete said.

The government on Tuesday said it would establish vaccination sites at the main intra and inter-city bus termini to cater for the unvaccinated commuters. Information minister Monica Mutsvangwa said unvaccinated persons would not be allowed to board public transport.

As of December 6, a total of 3 882 255 first doses of the Covid-19 vaccine had been administered, while 2 892 366 people had received their second dose.

Mutsvangwa said 1.25m doses of Sinopharm vaccines were delivered on  December 6, constituting the first batch of the 2.5m doses procured.

The remaining 1.25m vaccines of the order are expected before the end of the week and Zimbabwe is also expecting a donation of one million doses from China, she said.