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 | |
|---|---|
| Disease | COVID-19 |
| Virus strain | SARS-CoV-2 |
| Location | Zimbabwe |
| Index case | Victoria Falls |
| Arrival date | 20 March 2020 (4 years, 2 months, 4 weeks and 2 days) |
| Confirmed cases | 4,221 (as of 4 August)[1] |
| Recovered | 1,238 (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]
