Category: #COVID19

#BREAKING: WHO Approves Sinopharm Vaccine For Emergency Use

Healthtimes

WHO today listed the Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use, giving the green light for this vaccine to be rolled out globally. The Sinopharm vaccine is produced by Beijing Bio-Institute of Biological Products Co Ltd, subsidiary of China National Biotec Group (CNBG). WHO Communication “The addition of this vaccine has the potential to rapidly accelerate COVID-19 vaccine access for countries seeking to protect health workers and populations at risk,” said Dr Mariângela Simão, WHO Assistant-Director General for Access to Health Products. We urge the manufacturer to participate in the COVAX…

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HIV+ People With Low CD4 Count Should Consult Before Getting COVID-19 Jab

Michael Gwarisa

PEOPLE living with HIV (PLHIV) who have a low CD4 count and an uncontrolled viral load have been urged to defer getting vaccinated against COVID-19 until after discussing with medical practitioners, a medical and HIV expert has said. By Michael Gwarisa CD4 cells are white blood cells that fight infection and the CD4 count is a measure of how healthy one’s immune system is when living with HIV. People Living with HIV have been listed amongst high-risk populations in the country and have also been afforded priority status under the…

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Zimbabwe Not Yet In The 3rd Wave- Experts

Michael Gwarisa

CONTRARY to widespread reports that a third COVID-19 wave was already in the country, medical and health experts have assured the nation that the nation was nearing the end of a second of a second wave. By Michael Gwarisa   There have been speculation over the past few weeks following the surging of COVID-19 cases in schools, triggering fears that a third wave might probably started in the country. Speaking during a webinar that was organised by the National AIDS Council (NAC), Dr Takunda Sola who is also the Regional…

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Normalcy Returns To COVID-19 Hit Matebeleland Schools

Healthtimes

MINISTRY of Health and Child Care Matebeleland Acting Provincial Medical Director (PMD),  Dr Andrew Muza said some semblance of normalcy had returned to Sacred Heart and Embakwe Mission schools in the province which were hit by COVID-19 in the past few weeks. By Patricia Mashiri The schools started recording increased COVID-19 cases soon after the Easter holidays which saw some learners and school stuff being put in isolation. The province reported over 400 cases of COVID-19 at Sacred heart Schools and Embakwe Mission. All the students and members of staff…

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Cabinet Approves IPEC’S Request To Host Insurance Regulators Indaba Under Strict COVID-19 Regulations

Michael Gwarisa

THE Insurance and Pension Commission’s (IPEC) request to host a conference of insurance regulators has been approved by cabinet under strict World Health Organisation (WHO) measures. By Michael Gwarisa Briefing Journalists , Information, Publicity Minister, Senator Monica Mutsvangwa said IPEC has to choose a bigger venue to ensure COVID-19 protocols can be observed. Furthermore, Cabinet approved a request made by the Insurance and Pensions Commission (IPEC) for the Organization of Eastern and Southern Africa Insurers (OESI) to host a meeting of Insurance regulators. The approval was made on the following…

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Have Heightened Sense Of Readiness Against COVID-19-Warns WHO

Healthtimes

THE World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office has warned Africa to be ready and making sure that there is a strong surveillance against COVID-19 as most countries are an increase in the COVID-19 confirmed cases. Staff Reporter Speaking during the epidemiology update of COVID-19, Dr Matshidi Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa said the resurgence in COVID-19 cases was worrisome There have now been more than 4.5 million COVID-19 cases and 120.00 lives on the African Continent. Overall, we are still seeing a plateau with a slide uptake but the…

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Zim Gvt Should Issue COVID-19 Travel Ban To And From India As Deadly Second Wave Wrecks Havoc In India

Michael Gwarisa

ZIMBABWE’S health sector could crush to its knees if the mutant COVID-19 variant in India finds its way into the country, a Public Health Expert has warned. By Michael Gwarisa India is currently grappling with a second wave of the Coronavirus  and for the first times, India recorded more than 400,000 new COVID-19 cases over a period of 24 hours on Saturday while the country’s massive new vaccination drive was hampered in some areas by shortages of the shots. However, other countries such as Australia and Nigeria have already issued…

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Zimbabwe Records Lowest New Daily Cases For The First Time In 2021

Healthtimes

THREE new COVID-19 cases were recorded over the past 24 hours in Zimbabwe, bringing the total number of active cases down to 1 072. HealthTimes Reporter The three cases were recorded after a total 1 846 tests had been conducted. According to the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) Daily Situation Report (SITREP), three cases and one death was recorded in the last 24 hours. Seven rolling average for new cases falls to 28 today from 31 yesterday. Today, the country recorded the lowest number of daily new cases…

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Women And Girls Need Post COVID-19 Support

Healthtimes

THE COVID-19 pandemic has further widened existing social and economic inequalities between women and men, leaving women and girls prone to Gender Based Violations (GBV) and other societal ills, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) championing women and girls rights have said. By Patricia Mahsiri Speaking during a virtual meeting on the Impact of COVID-19 Stimulus Packages in Zimbabwe on GBV Interventions, Tawanda Zimhunga, Deputy Director Protection Services, Ministry of Public Service Labor and Social Services said when households and communities are placed under pressure, the risk of multiple forms of violence…

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Sinopharm Suits Zimbabwe’s Cold Chain Capacity

Michael Gwarisa

UNLIKE other COVID-19 vaccines that were developed using  the Messenger Ribonucleic Acids (M-RNA) technology, vaccines manufactured using a killed/inactivated virus such as the Sinopharm, Sinovac and COVAXIN currently being administered in Zimbabwe do not require expensive subzero cold-chain infrastructure. By Michael Gwarisa The messenger RNA technology was deployed in the Pfizer, Mordena and other vaccines, making such vaccines unsuitable for hot climatic conditions such as the one in Zimbabwean unless the country installs a costly deep freeze airport warehouse, procures and modifies refrigerated vehicles and inoculation points to ensure the…

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