Staff Reporter
Government has set 14 July 2021 as the deadline for the vaccination of frontline workers, warning that those who would not have been vaccinated will not receive insurance pay-outs.
This was revealed by Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa during a Post Cabinet Press Briefing in Harare yesterday.
“Noting that the frontline staff was given opportunity to be vaccinated ahead of others, the nation is advised that a considerable number of frontline workers (20%) have still not presented themselves for vaccination. Given the risk this poses not only to other workers but also to patients, Cabinet has set 14 July 2021 as the deadline for the vaccination of the frontline workers. After this date those who would not have been vaccinated will not receive COVID-19 insurance pay-outs.
“For the avoidance of doubt, vaccinated staff members who test positive, will, however, still be eligible for the COVID-19 insurance pay out,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.
As of 27 June, 2021 a total of 764 248 people countrywide had received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 534 906 their second dose across the country.
Minister Mutsvangwa highlighted that as the number of COVID-19 cases and hotspots continue to increase, law enforcement agencies have widened their scope of operations to help the Ministry of Health and Child Care contain the spread of the virus, while security forces have heightened patrols along the country’s borders.
As at 28 June, 2021, Zimbabwe’s cumulative COVID-19 cases stood at 46 442, with 37 187 recoveries and 1 736 deaths. The recovery rate stands at 80%, with 96% of COVID-19 positive cases being attributed to local transmission. The number of active cases stands at 2 923.
Minister Mutsvangwa said that Cabinet noted with concern that the surge reported the previous week continued, with a total of 3 882 cases recorded during the period under review, compared to 1 239 reported the previous week which represented a 213% increase.
“The majority of cases were recorded in Mashonaland West (1 798), Mashonaland Central (1 375) and Midlands (493). The following areas have been designated as hotspots in Mashonaland West: Kariba, Karoi, Makonde, Chinhoyi, Mhangura, Chidamwoyo, Magunje and Chirundu. In Bulawayo: Nkulumane, Emakhandeni and Northern Surburbs. In Mashonaland Central: Mount Darwin. In Masvingo: Chiredzi and in Midlands, Kwekwe. Members of the public are strongly discouraged from visiting or transiting through these spots,” she said.
Under Case Management Infection, Prevention and Control, the Minister informed the nation that hospital admissions due to COVID-19 had increased. As of 27 June 2021, there were 353 hospitalized COVID-19 positive cases, of which 40 were new admissions, 97 were asymptomatic, 209 were mild to moderate 44 severe and 3 were in the intensive care unit.
The Minister reported that measures have been put in place to increase the procurement of vaccines with the following quantities of the COVID-19 vaccines already been procured: 2 000 000 doses of Sinovac which is expected by end of this week, 1 500 000 doses expected mid-July, 2021, 1 500 000 doses by August 2021, and 1 500 000 doses expected by September 2021.
