The COVID-19 pandemic was confirmed to have reached Zimbabwe in March 2020. 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 increased strain with the spread of COVID-19.
Background
On 12 January 2020, the World Health Organization confirmed that a novel coronavirus was the cause of a respiratory illness in a cluster of people in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China, which was reported to the WHO on 31 December 2019. The case fatality ratio for COVID-19 has been much lower than SARS of 2003, but the transmission has been significantly greater, with a significant total death toll. Model-based simulations for Zimbabwe indicate that the 95% confidence interval for the time-varying transmission number Rt exceeded 1.0 in March 2020, was below 1.0 in April and early May, but since then has exceeded 1.0 and gradually increased to around 2.
Timeline
March 2020
On 21 March, Zimbabwe reported its first COVID-19 case: a male resident of Victoria Falls who travelled back from the UK via South Africa on 15 March. No deaths have been reported initially, as erroneously indicated in some sources since the patient continues with self-isolation at home and showing signs of recovery. Two more cases in the country were confirmed on 21 March, both in Harare. 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. During March, 8 persons tested positive and one died, leaving 7 active cases at the end of the month.
April 2020
After Zororo's death, two more people died, increasing the number of deaths to three. Due to a shortage of protective medical equipment Zimbabwean doctors filed a lawsuit against the government so that they are adequately protected when treating infected patients. On 13 April, three more cases were reported, resulting in the number of cases in the country to total to 17. At least five journalists have been arrested for their coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic. During April, 26 persons tested positive and three died. The number of confirmed cases since the start of the outbreak reached 34. The number of active cases at the end of the month was 25.
May 2020
During the month 144 persons tested positive. The number of confirmed cases since the start of the outbreak reached 178. The number of active cases at the end of the month was 145. The number of deceased patients remained unchanged.
June 2020
On 12 June, the India national cricket team announced that it was calling off its tour of Zimbabwe, scheduled for August 2020. Health minister, Obadiah Moyo, was arrested over US$4 million scandal alongside the president's son, Collins Mnangagwa, that involved improper procurement of personal protection equipment for medical workers. During June 413 persons tested positive, bringing the total number of confirmed cases since the start of the outbreak to 591. The death toll rose to 7. By the end of the month there were 422 active cases, an increase by 191% from the end of May.
July 2020
As of 28th of July 2020, the country reported 2,817 cases and 40 deaths an increase of 113 from 1169 PCR tests and 255 Rapid Diagnostic tests on that date. The cumulative number of tests was 124,194 tests of which 68,194 were Rapid Diagnostic Tests. It is not disclosed if these Rapid Diagnostic Tests are antigen or antibody tests. Police reported that 105,000 had been arrested for violating health measures since March, including 1,000 arrests for not wearing facemasks on July 18 and 19. On 21 July, Zimbabwe announced a stringent daily curfew, with only essential services allowed to operate between 8am and 3pm. The government was accused of using the pandemic as cover to crack down on planned protests over corruption. On 29 July, Minister of Lands, Agriculture and Rural ResettlementPerrance Shiri died, days after his driver succumbed to the illness.
Prevention measures and effects
Before there were any confirmed cases in the country, President Emmerson Mnangagwa had declared a national emergency, putting in place travel restrictions and banning large gatherings. The country's defence minister, Oppah Muchinguri caused controversy by stating the coronavirus could be a divine punishment on Western nations for imposing sanctions on Zimbabwe. On 23 March, President Mnangagwa announced additional measures:
Closure of Zimbabwe's borders to all non-essential travel, except for returning residents and cargo;
Closure of bars, nightclubs, cinemas, swimming pools, and sporting activities;
Restriction of all public gatherings to fewer than 50 people;
Restriction of hospital visits to no more than one per day.
On 27 March the government announced that the country would go into a nationwide lockdown for 21 days from 30 March onwards. The Victoria Falls viewing sites have also been closed as part of Zimbabwe and Zambia lock down measures. Some of the restrictions of the 21-Day Lock down have been reversed; supermarkets are now allowed to sell alcohol once again. On 18 April the Republic of Zimbabwe celebrate its 40th independence day under lock down for the first time in the country's history. During the lockdown 201 malaria outbreaks were reported, 90 were controlled resulting in 131 people dying. The IMF estimated that the Zimbabwean economy would probably contract by 7.4% in 2020 largely due to the impact of the pandemic. Prevention and treatment was negatively impacted by a medical workers strike in the first quarter of 2020 due to a lack of PPE.
