Zimbabweans learn to live with COVID-19 as infections continue on low scale

By Xinhua

HARARE: Zimbabwe is still experiencing daily COVID-19 infections, even though the numbers remain low, while authorities keep on encouraging people to remain wary of the pandemic especially as the cold season sets in.

There were at least 453 recorded infections between June 1 and June 26, with 11 deaths recorded during the same period, according to data from the Ministry of Health and Child Care.

As of Monday, the country had recorded 265,560 cases, with 259,601 recoveries and 5,706 deaths, while there were 11 people who were hospitalized from 247 cases. A total of 63,996 people got their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, while 70,995 and 86,165 got their second and third vaccines, respectively during the same period, the data showed.

COVID-19 chief coordinator in the Office of the President and Cabinet Agnes Mahomva told local radio Tuesday that people should remain vigilant because the pandemic was still around, even though the country had managed to keep it in check. She encouraged people to be vaccinated so that they could mitigate the effects of COVID-19, noting that some of the flu-like symptoms they experienced during winter would go on to be identified as COVID-19.

“We encourage you to continue being vaccinated. We still have plenty of vaccines in stock,” she said.

Harare resident Prince Mukahanana said although he still feared getting infected, he had to learn to live with the pandemic because he had to work for his family.

“I lost three relatives to COVID-19 and I know that I may lose some more. But I must work to fend for my family. Where I’m not sure about my safety I put on a face mask but many people laugh at me because they think that the pandemic is over,” he said as he pushed his vegetable cart.