Staff Reporter

Zimbabwe’s Covid-19 lockdown level 4 has been extended by another two weeks, as the country tries to contain the third wave.

In a Statement yesterday, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said, “This has been necessitated by the realisation that although there has been a notable decrease in the number of Covid-19 infections and deaths, more efforts are required to contain the third wave pandemic.”

Yesterday the country recorded 319 new cases (all local) and 27 deaths. According to statistics from the Health and Child Care Ministry, as at 24 August 2021, Zimbabwe had 123 320 confirmed cases including 108 660 recoveries and 4 320 deaths. To date, a total of 2 382 359 people have been vaccinated against Covid-19.

The Ministry recently revealed that Covid-19 vaccines may also be administered to people with underlying conditions like cancer, asthma, HIV, hypertension and diabetes, liver and kidney problems and boost their immunity. These people were however encouraged to continue taking their medication as advised by their medical doctors.

Meanwhile the country yesterday received a consignment of one million Sinovac vaccines bought from China by the Government. The consignment was received at the Robert Mugabe International Airport by the Deputy Minister of Child and Health Care, Dr John Mangwiro and other Government officials.

Following the delivery, the Chinese Embassy in Zimbabwe on its Twitter handle highlighted that China will continue to support Zimbabwe in the fight against the deadly Covid-19 pandemic.

“With one million Sinovac vaccine arriving in Harare today, China has provided 9.2 million doses of vaccine till now. With one more shot in people’s arm, Zimbabwe will be one step closer to herd immunity. China will stand with Zimbabwe in the battle against the pandemic,” the embassy posted.

Through the leadership of President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Zimbabwe is ranked among top African nations which are successfully fighting the Covid-19 pandemic, administering the vaccination programme very well.