A descriptive study of the trends of COVID-19 in Zimbabwe from March-June 2020: policy and strategy implications

Health system response to COVID-19 among primary health care units in Ethiopia: A qualitative study

INTRODUCTION

There was limited data on the experiences and roles of sub-national health systems in the response against COVID-19 in Ethiopia. This study explored how sub-national primary health care units and coordinating bodies in Ethiopia responded to COVID-19 during the first 6 months of pandemic.

METHODS

We conducted a qualitative study with descriptive phenomenological design using 59 key informants that were purposively selected. The interviews included leaders across Ethiopia's 10 regions and 2 administrative cities. Data were collected using a semi-structured interview guide that was translated into a local language. The interviews were conducted in person or by phone. Coding and categorizing led to the development of themes and subthemes. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis.

RESULTS

Local administrators across different levels took the lead in responding to COVID-19 by organizing multisectoral planning and monitoring committees at regional, zonal and woreda (district) levels. Health leaders reacted to the demand for an expanded workforce by reassigning health professionals to COVID-19 surveillance and case management activities, adding COVID-19-related responsibilities to their workloads, temporarily blocking leave, and hiring new staff on contractual basis. Training was prioritized for: rapid response teams, laboratory technicians, healthcare providers assigned to treatment centers where care was provided for patients with COVID-19, and health extension workers. COVID-19 supplies and equipment, particularly personal protective equipment, were difficult to obtain at the beginning of the pandemic. Health officials used a variety of means to equip and protect staff, but the quantity fell short of their needs. Local health structures used broadcast media, print materials, and house-to-house education to raise community awareness about COVID-19. Rapid response teams took the lead in case investigation, contact tracing, and sample collection. The care for mild cases was shifted to home-based isolation as the number of infections increased and space became limited. However, essential health services were neglected at the beginning of the pandemic while the intensity of local multisectoral response (sectoral engagement) declined as the pandemic progressed.

CONCLUSIONS

Local government authorities and health systems across Ethiopia waged an early response to the pandemic, drawing on multisectoral support and directing human, material, and financial resources toward the effort. But, the intensity of the multisectoral response waned and essential services began suffering as the pandemic progressed. There is a need to learn from the pandemic and invest in the basics of the health system-health workers, supplies, equipment, and infrastructure-as well as coordination of interventions.

Drivers of the third wave of COVID-19 in Zimbabwe and challenges for control: perspectives and recommendations

Since the beginning of June 2021, Zimbabwe entered into a harsh third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, which saw an increase in the cumulative number of cases from approximately 38,000 to 120,000 in just two months. This exponential case rise was accompanied by an increase in the absolute number of case fatalities, with a corresponding strain on the public health sector. To effectively inform public health responses, policy and strategy to deal with the current wave and prepare for further waves, we discuss the drivers and challenges of control for this current wave and future waves, and offer practical recommendations. Vaccination will be the most important public health intervention to deal with the spread, morbidity and mortality of COVID-19, therefore, efforts to fight vaccine hesitancy and build vaccine confidence and availability will be critical. Similarly, it will be important to build public health sector capacity and resilience to adequately deal with large-scale outbreaks and absorb the shock waves associated with such. Resuscitating and building the economy is an indispensable component of protecting public health. Therefore, collaborative efforts from relevant public health stakeholders, economists, politicians and other players are required to effectively coordinate the necessary responses and formulate the right policies and strategies.

The effect of increased mobility on SARS-CoV-2 transmission: a descriptive study of the trends of COVID-19 in Zimbabwe between December 2020 and January 2021

Introduction

when the first cases of COVID-19 were reported in Zimbabwe in March 2020, the local outbreak was characterised by an insidious increase in national caseload. This first wave was mainly attributable to imported cases, peaking around July 2020. By October 2020, the number of cases reported daily had declined to less than 100 cases per day signalling the end of the first wave. This pattern mirrored the global trends. In December 2020, reports of new COVID-19 variants emerged and coincided with the beginning of the second wave within the ongoing pandemic. This paper reports on the analysis conducted on the new wave of COVID-19 beginning December 2020 to January 2021. The objective of this study was to document the evolving presumptive second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Zimbabwe from December 2020 to January 2021.

Methods

this is a retrospective analysis of secondary data extracted from the daily situation reports published by the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare, Zimbabwe and World Health Organization Country Office, Zimbabwe. The period under consideration started from 1^st December 2020 to 31^st January 2021.

Results

there was a 333% increase in the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases starting 1^st December 2020, to 31^st January 2021. These new cases were mainly attributed to community transmission though there were a few imported cases. There was a 439% increase in the absolute number of deaths; however, the case fatality rate remained low at 3.6%, and comparable to that from other countries. Harare, Bulawayo and Manical and provinces accounted for 60% of the case burden, with the other seven provinces only accounting for 40%. By mid-January, the number of incident COVID-19 cases started to decline significantly, to levels similar to the residual levels seen during the first wave.

Conclusion

the second wave, which lasted a period of less than 2 months, had a steep rise and sharp decline in the incident cases and fatalities. The steep rise was attributable to increased mobility, with a consequent increase in the chains of community transmission. The declines, noted from mid-January 2021, may be partly attributable to a strict national lockdown, though more in-depth exploration of the drivers of transmission is needed to tailor effective interventions for future control. Differentiated strategies maybe needed according to the case burdens in the different provinces. In anticipation of further waves, the introduction of safe and effective vaccines might be the game changer if the vaccines are widely availed to the population to levels adequate to achieve herd immunity. Meanwhile, infection prevention and control guidelines must continue to be observed.