Chronicle Editor
Thandeka Moyo-Ndlovu, Senior Health Reporter
BULAWAYO is heading towards achieving herd immunity against Covid-19 with over 50 percent of the targeted population eligible for vaccination having received the first dose of vaccines.
A further 40,3 percent have received the second dose. So far, the only city in the country that has reached herd immunity is Victoria Falls.
Zimbabwe is targeting to vaccinate 10 million of its citizens by the end of December this year to achieve herd immunity.
As of Monday, Zimbabwe had 128 186 confirmed cases, including 121 098 recoveries and 4 569 deaths.
In Bulawayo, 242 154 people have received their first dose while 185 121 have received their second.
The city should have 400 000 people vaccinated to achieve herd immunity which is 60 percent of eligible residents.
In her post-Cabinet briefing yesterday, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said Bulawayo was heading towards reaching herd immunity.
“Cabinet advises the nation that as of 19th September, 2021, a total of 2 949 025 people had received their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine and 2 065 395 their second dose across the country.
This translates to a national coverage of 34,7 percent for the first dose and 24,3 percent for the second dose. Of special note is that the City of Bulawayo, at 52,6 percent for the first dose and 40,3 percent for the second is edging towards herd immunity, along with Matabeleland North where Victoria Falls has already surpassed its herd immunity.
“Cabinet wishes to further inform citizens that one million doses of Sinovac vaccine were received on 14th September, 2021. This brings the total number of vaccine doses received since the roll-out of the vaccination programme to 11 800 000,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.
She said Government had so far acquired 11 million doses for members of the public.
Bulawayo director of Health services Dr Edwin Sibanda said the Covid-19 targets are based on the estimated population of the city, which is 60 percent of the 770 000 people.
“We are happy that 52 percent of our targeted population has at least one dose which gives some protection against Covid-19. The targets are based on the estimated population of the city, 60 percent of the 770 000 or so which are in Bulawayo,” said Dr Sibanda.
Renowned health expert Dr Rita Dlodlo commended healthcare workers for their effort to ensure that residents are vaccinated.
She also said the Government through the Ministry of Health and Child Care had worked hard to avail the lifesaving vaccine for its citizens.
“I think the response by the Bulawayo community should be commended, it is pleasing to see that 40 percent of the adults have acquired two doses and can be considered as fully vaccinated against Covid-19. The recommended herd or population immunity is not known at the moment considering the emerging new variant,” said Dr Dlodlo.
“Some have estimated it to be 60-75, or even 80 percent but I am happy to see that Bulawayo is on its way. We have a long way to go considering the new variant but our numbers are encouraging and residents should keep it up.”
Dr Dlodlo said the country had also managed to record a high number of recoveries who scientifically now have a natural immunity against Covid-19. “As we continue commending Bulawayo, it is also good to note that those who had Covid-19 and recovered have some sort of natural immunity. We have so many people who were asymptomatic or who had mild disease without their knowledge but still recovered which means we are on the right path toward recording herd/ population immunity,” said Dr Dlodlo.
She encouraged residents to continue getting vaccinated and practising the recommended masking up, hand hygiene and practising social distancing.
“The health services have really gone beyond the call of duty and provided the services the all of us. The Government continues to supply us with the vaccine,” added Dr Dlodlo.
Meanwhile, Minister Mutsvangwa said the education sector has contributed significantly to the increase in Covid-19 cases.
“Government has, therefore, instituted the following measures to contain the Covid-19 surge in schools: enhancement of surveillance and contact-tracing at schools and in the surrounding communities; increasing on-site
Covid-19 testing of all suspected cases, contacts and surrounding communities; isolation and management of all Covid-19 positive cases; quarantining of those exposed; restriction of movement into and out of the affected schools until the outbreaks have been controlled; enhancement of public health and social protocols, including social distancing, hand washing, sanitization and wearing of face masks; empowering teachers to detect and report suspected cases; enhancement of awareness campaigns in schools and surrounding communities; and vaccination of all eligible populations in schools and surrounding communities,” she said.
“The meeting, however, noted that out of a total school enrolment of 4,6 million, the number of Covid-19-positive cases detected is insignificant. All cases are being well-managed in line with the Standard Guidelines for the Co-ordinated Prevention and Management of Covid-19 at All Learning Institutions in Zimbabwe. Furthermore, most cases among learners are asymptomatic or have only mild symptoms. Accordingly, Cabinet resolved that schools will remain open. Learners who are isolated will be provided with alternative learning platforms.”
She said cases in areas previously declared hotspots decreased significantly over the last 21 days and continue declining, due to the effective Covid-19 control measures and protocols put in place by Government.
“Treasury has also consistently provided the much-needed financial resources for the mitigation measures, with ZW$34,2 billion having been availed so far. These measures have, in general, seen a sustained decrease in the number of people in need of hospitalization for Covid-19, with the country’s hospital bed-occupancy rate decreasing from 6,9 percent the previous week to 5,6 percent this week,” she added. — @thamamoe
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