COVID-19 pandemic in Zimbabwe

The COVID-19 pandemic was confirmed to have reached Zimbabwe in March 2020. As of 4 August, there are 4,221 confirmed cases, 81 deaths, and 1,238 recoveries.[2]

COVID-19 pandemic in Zimbabwe
DiseaseCOVID-19
LocationZimbabwe
Index caseVictoria Falls
Arrival date20 March 2020
(4 years, 9 months and 3 days)
Confirmed cases4,221 (as of 4 August)[1]
Recovered1,238 (as of 4 August)
Deaths
81 (as of 4 August)

Weakness

Some of Zimbabwe's provinces, especially Manicaland, Masvingo and Mashonaland East, also struggled with a malaria outbreak at the same time. Though malaria is treatable, the healthcare system faces drug shortages and increase strain with the spread of COVID-19.[3]

Cases

On 21 March Zimbabwe reported its first COVID-19 case: a male resident of Victoria Falls who traveled back from the UK via South Africa on 15 March.[4]

Two more cases in the country were confirmed on 21 March, both cases were in Harare.[5] On the 23 March, it was confirmed that noted Zimbabwean journalist Zororo Makamba was the first person in the country to die from the virus.[6][7][8]

References

  1. Coronavirus World Map: Tracking the Global Outbreak. 28 January 2020. https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/world/coronavirus-maps.html. 
  2. "Zimbabwe". www.worldometers.info. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  3. "Zimbabwe faces malaria outbreak as it locks down to counter coronavirus". The Guardian. April 21, 2020. https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2020/apr/21/zimbabwe-faces-malaria-outbreak-as-it-locks-down-to-counter-coronavirus. 
  4. Marsh, Kevin Rawlinson (now); Sarah; Quinn, Ben; Perraudin, Frances; Farrer (earlier), Martin; Greenfield, Patrick; Cowie, Sam; Wintour, Patrick; Wintour, Patrick; Willsher, Kim (2020-03-20). "Coronavirus live updates: global cases top quarter of a million, as Italy sees biggest daily rise in deaths". The Guardian. Retrieved 2020-03-20.
  5. "BREAKING: Two new coronavirus cases confirmed in Harare". Bulawayo24 News. Archived from the original on 2023-05-16. Retrieved 2020-03-21.
  6. Maphanga, Canny (2020-03-23). "Journalist Zororo Makamba becomes Zimbabwe's first Covid-19 death". News24. Archived from the original on 2020-03-23. Retrieved 2020-03-23.
  7. "Journalist is first person in Zimbabwe to die from Covid-19". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 2020-03-23.
  8. Daniels, Lou-Anne (23 March 2020). "Media personality Zororo Makamba becomes first Zimbabwe coronavirus fatality". www.iol.co.za. Retrieved 2020-03-23.