#COVID19 |

Huge volumes of COVID hospital waste threaten health – WHO

February 1, 2022 Healthtimes

GENEVA (Reuters) – Discarded syringes, used test kits and old vaccine bottles from the COVID-19 pandemic have piled up to create tens of thousands of tonnes of medical waste, threatening human health and the environment, a World Health Organization report said on Tuesday. The material, a portion of which could be infectious since coronavirus can survive on surfaces, potentially exposes health workers to burns, needle-stick injuries and disease-causing germs, the report said. Communities close to poorly-managed landfills can also be affected through contaminated air from burning waste, poor water quality…

See Zimbabwe’s 2022 Full School Term Calendar

February 1, 2022 Healthtimes

2022 FULL SCHOOL CALENDAR: FIRST TERM Begins: Monday, 7 February 2022 Ends: Thursday 7 April 2022 Public Holiday: One No Of School Days: 45 Exeat Weekends: None Vacation: 26 Days SECOND TERM Begins: Tuesday 3, May 2022 Ends: Thursday 4 August 2022 Public Holidays: One No Of School Days: 69 Days Exeat Weekends: None Vacation: 30 Days THIRD TERM Begins: Monday, 5 September 2022 Ends:Thursday 8 December, 2022 Public Holidays: None No Of School Days: 71 Days Exeat Weekends: None Vacation: 31 Days First term2023 begins: Monday…

#BREAKING: Schools Open On 7 February As Gvt Relaxes Lockdown Measures

January 28, 2022 Michael Gwarisa

THE Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC), has announced that the general school calendar will resume on February 7, 2022 as the country eases the lockdown measures that were meant to curtail the spread of the Omicron variant. By Michael Gwarisa In a statement, acting health and child care minister, Professor Amon Murwirwa said the country over the past two weeks recorded a decline in new COVID-19 cases, hence the move to allow schools and other economic sectors to reopen. The National COVID-19 epidemic curve is indicating that the…

Omicron Related Diseases Severity Lower Than Other Variants- CDC

January 26, 2022January 26, 2022 Healthtimes

DESPITE the Omicron variant having recorded the highest reported numbers of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations during the pandemic, disease severity indicators, including length of stay, ICU admission, and deaths as a result of the strain were lower than during previous pandemic peaks. According to a weekly morbidity and mortality report by the American Center for Disease Control (CDC) that analyzed trends in Disease Severity and Health Care Utilization During the Early Omicron Variant Period between the December 2020–January 2022 period, the majority of the cases were mild compared to previous…

People Hospitalised for COVID-19 In 2020 At Greater Risk Of Readmission or Death- Study

January 26, 2022 Healthtimes

A new study led by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), the University of Oxford and clinical software provider TPP has gathered that people who had been hospitalised for COVID-19 in 2020 – and survived for at least one week after discharge – were more than twice as likely to die or be readmitted to the hospital in the next several months compared to the general population. HealthTimes Reporter Previous research has suggested that people with COVID-19 may face a greater risk of health issues for several…

COVAX delivers its 1 billionth COVID-19 vaccine dose

January 24, 2022 Michael Gwarisa

On 15 January 2022, a shipment of 1.1 million COVID-19 vaccines to Rwanda included the billionth dose supplied via COVAX. Together with our partners, COVAX is leading the largest vaccine procurement and supply operation in history, with deliveries to 144 countries to date. But the work that has gone into this milestone is only a reminder of the work that remains. As of 13 January 2022, out of 194 Member States, 36 WHO Member States have vaccinated less than 10% of their population, and 88 less than 40%. COVAX’s ambition…

COVAX delivers its 1 billionth COVID-19 vaccine dose

January 18, 2022 Healthtimes

On 15 January 2022, a shipment of 1.1 million COVID-19 vaccines to Rwanda included the billionth dose supplied via COVAX. Own Correspondent Together with our partners, COVAX is leading the largest vaccine procurement and supply operation in history, with deliveries to 144 countries to date. But the work that has gone into this milestone is only a reminder of the work that remains. As of 13 January 2022, out of 194 Member States, 36 WHO Member States have vaccinated less than 10% of their population, and 88 less than 40%.…

WHO recommends two new drugs to treat COVID-19

January 15, 2022 Michael Gwarisa

WHO has recommended two new drugs for COVID-19, providing yet more options for treating the disease. The extent to which these medicines will save lives depends on how widely available and affordable they will be. HealthTimes Reporter The first drug, baricitinib, is strongly recommended for patients with severe or critical COVID-19. It is part of a class of drugs called Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors that suppress the overstimulation of the immune system. WHO recommends that it is given with corticosteroids. Baricitinib is an oral drug, used in the treatment of…

#JUSTIN: Prepare For Schools Reopening In Three Weeks Time

January 14, 2022 Michael Gwarisa

HEALTH and Child Care Minister who is also the Vice President of Zimbabwe, Dr Constatino Chiwenga has announced an extension to the current lockdown by another two weeks in order to give schools and parents enough time to prepare for the reopening of schools soon after the lockdown. By Michael Gwarisa In a statement, Dr Chiwenga said schools will be given at least one week after the two week renewed lockdown period to put COVID-19 preventive measures in place before classes resume. Schools will be given at least one week…

President Xi JINPING Donates 10 Million More Vaccines To Zimbabwe

January 12, 2022 Michael Gwarisa

THE People’s Republic of China’s President, XI JINPING has donated 10 million vaccine doses to Zimbabwe in a move that is set to boost vaccine availability and increase the country’s ability to inoculate more people in the face of a raging COVID-19 pandemic. By Michael Gwarisa The donated consignment consists of 6 million Sinovac doses and 4 million Sinopharm doses in addition to the 2 million doses Zimbabwe has received from China since February 2021. In his acceptance speech, Zimbabwe’s President, Emerson Mnangagwa paid tribute to China’s commitment to advancing…