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Ivan Zhakata Herald Correspondent

WHILE many now ignore Covid-19, it is still there and still kills with five deaths recorded in Zimbabwe from Covid-19 between New Year’s Day and Sunday and so people should go for vaccination and take precautions, including social distancing, sanitising, and wearing masks in public transport and indoor gatherings.

According to statistics provided by the Ministry of Health and Child Care, two people died on Monday last week with one more on each of Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday.

But few of the unvaccinated are now bothering. Eleven people received the first dose on Sunday bringing the cumulative for the first dose to 6 589 944, 13 received their second dose bringing the cumulative for the second dose to 4 956 879 while 27 received their third dose bringing the cumulative total for the third dose to 1 289 493.

As of Sunday, Zimbabwe had recorded 260 855 cases of Covid-19, 254 411 recoveries and 5 644 deaths but the national recovery rate remains at 98 percent.

Last month, 12 people died from Covid-19 in Zimbabwe.

Speaking after a Cabinet meeting on December 20, 2022, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said the small spike in the number of new cases and deaths recorded in December was of concern and called for the country to remain vigilant.

“It is highlighted that provincial task force teams should strengthen implementation of all Covid-19 public health and social measures with a focus to maximally protect citizens during the Christmas and New Year holidays.”

Members of the public who were not vaccinated should line up for the free shots.

While vaccination only reduces the risk of infection, rather than preventing it totally, it does also help ensure that an infected person has far milder symptoms.

People should wash hands with soap and running water, sanitise hands frequently, maintain social distancing and avoid crowded gatherings and wear face masks properly in public transport vehicles and indoor gatherings.