Update on Lockdown
Week ending 07 August2020
Update leads:
- Confirmed cases surge among frontline workers
- COVID 19 and the Human Rights crisis in Zim
The country has recorded 4395 confirmed cases, 1264 recoveries leaving 3040 active cases and 97 deaths as at 06 August 2020. Mat-South has contributed a total of 474 cases to the overall positive cases.
There is need for the public to adhere to the preventive measures outlined by the World Health Organisation especially at a time when the country is experiencing high numbers of Covid-19 positive cases daily.
Confirmed cases surge among frontline workers
Since its outbreak in the country, COVID 19 pandemic has extensively exposed shortfalls in health service provision that requires urgent attention. Most of the country`s healthcare institutions are incapacitated; they do not meet the demands of the pandemic. Frontline health workers fighting the virus lack Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), putting them at risk of being affected while trying to save the world.
As a result of these healthcare deficiencies, the number of COVID 19 confirmed cases among health workers have surged across the country.
Recently, 20 Maphisa Hospital nurses in Matobo District tested positive for COVID 19 while Gwanda District Hospital also recorded two doctors and seven nurses that tested positive to Covid-19.These cases are a wake up call for the government to prioritize providing health workers with full protective gear required when treating COVID 19 patients.
With a recurring economic crisis which has seen the Zimbabwean currency losing value at a fast rate, civil servants salaries have lost value; therefore, many health workers are on strike, demanding better salaries leaving hospitals and clinics with a shortage of health workers. The Banking sector, especially POSB workers have downed their tools leaving scores and scores of people stranded.
Basic health care for citizens has been negatively impacted as people seeking treatment are being turned back home. Hospitals are demanding Covid-19 test certificates which many people cannot afford.
The surge of confirmed cases among frontline health workers is extensively hampering efforts to save lives as already highlighted that while the nurses are on isolation, who will look after patients needing urgent treatment?
The Zimbabwean government must work on supplying nurses and doctors with required PPE, and create strategies regarding treatment protocols to make sure that health workers are fully protected from infection because they are humans too; they are not immune to COVID 19.
COVID 19 AND HUMAN RIGHTS
AS a result of COVID 19, measures to curb the spread of the virus have been put forward by governments and the World Health Organisation.
While some of the measures are good initiatives necessary for the mitigation and eradication of the global pandemic, some measures have been used to cover up human rights abuses especially those put into action by governments.
According to the United Nations, governments must ensure the protection of human rights by moving away from using repressive measures under the guise of preventing the spread of the virus.
Currently, Zimbabwe is faced with a human rights crisis as cases of people being beaten, tortured and arrested have been circulating on social media platforms.
Most of the cases involved are the youth who are accused of allegedly breaking lockdown measures by trying to practice their right of freedom of expression as stated in the Zimbabwe Constitution under Section 61.
Many youths have been arrested for exercising their civil liberty rights, and as an organisation that advocates for the wellbeing of youths, CYDT is gravely concerned about the deteriorating human rights situation in the country.
Such acts are a cause for concern; they negatively affect youth participation in issues of holding leaders accountable, as many youths will be afraid of being arrested, beaten and tortured.
There is need for the government to attend to these alleged human rights violations as well as address the plight of citizens who are protesting for issues related to their human rights such as the access of basic healthcare services and food access.
Remember to follow these tips proposed by the WHO to prevent getting infected with COVID-19;
- clean your hands more often using alcohol based hand rub or soap and water
- Maintain social distancing
- Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth
- Contact emergency COVID-19 numbers near you, if experiencing any symptoms related to the pandemic
Social Distancing Tips
- Shop alone, do not shop in groups
- Stay/Stand two metres away from other customers (especially in mealie meal queues)
TOGETHER WE CAN DEFEAT COVID-19!
Dial 2019 if suspecting any COVID-19 Symptoms!
STAY SAFE!!!!!!!!!!
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