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Mayor's Report on Covid-19

A REPORT BY HIS WORSHIP SOLOMON MGUNI

The MAYOR OF BULAWAYO

ON COVID -19

IN THE CITY OF BULAWAYO

THURSDAY, 4 JUNE 2020

i. Situational Report on COVID-19

Bulawayo City Council Mayors Report 9
Outbreak Name COVID-19 Area on Alert City of Bulawayo
Date / Time of report 4 June 2020 / 10:30hrs Response start date 25 January 2020
Prepared by City of Bulawayo PHEIC Declared 31st January 2020
National Disaster Declared 17th March 2020 Pandemic Declared 11th March 2020

SITUATION UPDATE / HIGHLIGHTS

  • • Global cumulative total of 62 877 771 confirmed (93 246) and 379 941 deaths (3621) Source: WHO SitRep 135, as of 1000hrs CEST 03 May 2020
  • • Africa 54 States reporting 162 673 confirmed 4 601 deaths and 70 475 recoveries Source: Africa CDC Report, as of 0900hrs EAT 04 June 2020
  • • Nationally a cumulative of 222 confirmed cases (16), 29 recoveries and 4 deaths (0) Source: Zimbabwe MoHCC Update issued 03 June 2020
  • • In Bulawayo 20 cases (0), ten recoveries and 1 death (0), 9 active cases. Source: City of Bulawayo: Health Services Department 04 June 2020

CASE UPDATE / HIGHLIGHTS

The City on 4th June 2020 has a total of 20 cases of COVID-19 (MoHCC – 18 cases), and has followed up at least 798 contacts.

Of the first 12 cases (diagnosed in April 2020), through the index case, 10 have recovered and only one of the cases is yet to receive results to confirm recovery though specimens had been recollected at the time of the report.

Eleven of these cases were due to local transmission.

The city in the past two weeks (week ending 29 May 2020 and Week ending 5 June 2020) has identified 9 new cases of COVID-19.

They were diagnosed after teams from Council and from Mpilo Central Hospital collected samples from suspected cases.

They are stable and in isolation.

At least 130 contacts have been followed up by 4th June 2020.

One thousand, two hundred and forty one specimens (1 241) specimens have been sent to the laboratory for RT-PCR testing and only 67 results were pending.

The city depends mainly on the NUST ACTG/NTBRL for RT-PCR tests.

The Gene Xpert platform, usually used for the Tuberculosis control programme is being capacitated.

Xpress Xpert software has been installed on the machines at Mpilo, United Bulawayo and Thorngrove Hospitals.

Some SARS-CoV-2 samples have been processed at Thorngrove Hospital after hours, when the machine is not being used for TB samples.

Lancet Laboratory now collects specimens and sends to their Harare counterpart for RT-PCR testing.

They have not reported any new cases in the city.

The city has received a total of 4457 travellers from outside the country of which 3 983 (89.4%) have been cleared and 474 are still being followed up.

Some travellers were deportees who passed through Bulawayo Polytechnic College and the United College of Education.

BULAWAYO CITY COUNCIL COORDINATION ACTIVITIES

Bulawayo City Council (BCC) has different thematic teams participating in the Epidemic response: Call Centre; Case Management; Coordination; Risk Communication & Community Engagement (RCCE), Disease Surveillance; Disinfection, Environmental Sanitation, Waste Management & Body Management; Logistics Supply Chain Management; Rapid Response Teams (RRTs); Patient location facilitation.

BCC Health Services Department Epidemic Preparedness and Response Teams get daily updates through physical meetings (beginning 28th of January 2020) and complemented by electronic media platforms.

The overall city response was escalated to the level of the Provincial Minister of State.

A call out roster for staff, enhanced by a WhatsApp chat group is in place. The BCC call centre (backed by resources persons) can be contacted for information / services on numbers:

  • 08084700 (Econet Numbers Only)
  • 08004700 (TelOne Numbers Only)
  • 263-2922 71290 (All Networks)
  • 263-774 668 432 (WhatsApp Only)

Two numbers are available for direct calls to the rapid response teams (cell phones courtesy of the Bulawayo Entertainment Industry) i.e.

  • 263 - 784 150 042
  • 263 - 784 149 828

The national lockdown is in effect indefinitely.

Some sectors are now allowed to resume work on condition that their employees have temperature tests upon entering work premises; hand sanitizers upon entry to sanitize their hands; each employee to wear a face mask in appropriate form; and employees to practise social distancing in the work place.

This week the City Council was visited by officials from the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Africa Centre for Disease Control, and World Health Organisation.

DISINFECTION

Bulawayo City Council uses Hydrogen Peroxide to disinfect open spaces characterised by high human traffic. Areas with high human traffic that were disinfected in the past include the Central business district where spraying took place from 7 to 10 April 2020, the Railway station which was sprayed on 11 April, 2020 and Residential areas including Nketa 7 shopping centre, Nketa 9 shopping centre, Emganwini (Food 4 Less), Emganwini (Tashas), Sekusile shops, Sekusile Flea market, Bullet Shopping Centre, Nkulumane Complex, Makokoba Shops, Renkini, Entumbane Complex and Entumbane Long Distance Bus terminus, Cowdray Park areas and Luveve (Chigumira/Matsika) shopping centre, Lobengula and Magwegwe. Sanitization of the environment complements washing of hands, social distancing, cough etiquette etc.

EPIDEMIOLOGY & SURVEILLANCE

In Indicator Based Surveillance the District Health Information System (DHIS2) shows that there is an increase in the number on Acute Respiratory Illnesses (ARI) cases month on month up to March as well as in 2020 comparing to 2019, particularly the moderate and severe types. The number of cases in April was much lower than any other month, possibly due to the lockdown.

In Event Based Surveillance the Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) active since February 2020 have been following up rumours of possible suspected cases of COVID-19 and presently have followed up 361 of the scares.

The screening of all rumours and follow ups of suspected cases received via the call centre was done.

They have submitted specimens from 1234 people that fit the case definition to laboratories for Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) tests to detect the virus.

By 08:00hrs, on 04th June 2020, the city had submitted 1 241 samples to date to the laboratory network and 67 were pending.

The number of travellers that came into Bulawayo to their homes was 4 457.

Of these at least 3 983 (89.4%) travellers had since been followed up by teams in Bulawayo.

Follow up of the other travellers is in progress.

The updated lists of travellers that came into the country during the month of May was from official Ports of Entry (PoE).

Travellers lists are continually being received and follow ups are ongoing. Of the travellers some were deportees who passed through Bulawayo Polytechnic College and the United College of Education.

Shops in the CBD are still being monitored to encourage social distancing amongst customers, checking if sanitizers or hand washing facilities are available at entry points as well as educating on the risks of contracting Covid-19.

CASE MANAGEMENT

A WHO case definition which includes all age groups is being used. The city had 20 confirmed cases of Covid-19 by 4th June 2020. The first case was diagnosed posthumously and 10 have recovered i.e. they have had at least 2 RT-PCR respiratory specimens testing negative.

Of the 12 initial case (diagnosed in April), 11 were due to active local transmission.

The city has 9 active cases at present.

Of the active cases, 8 are stable without symptoms and one is being cared for with support of specialist physicians.

These low figures should not lull health care workers and the community into complacency because a surge in the number of cases remains possible.

The citywide clinics were trained to triage patients, elicit epidemiological and clinical history as well as expedite movements into and out of the clinic.

Thorngrove Hospital is still undergoing renovations and these are at an advanced stage.

RISK COMMUNICATION AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Still following the master schedule, the RCCE team continued giving context specific information related to Covid-19 as well as to respond to any queries.

This week, training of the city community health workers on COVID-19, Nutrition, Water Sanitation and Hygiene was conducted with support of the World Food Programme, Danish Church Aid and ORAP.

Introduction

Risk Communication and Community Engagement as an important component

Risk communication is the exchange of real-time information, advice and opinions between experts and people facing threats to their health, economic or social wellbeing.

The ultimate purpose of risk communication is to enable people at risk to take informed decisions to protect themselves and their loved ones.

In response to the pandemic, the city has engaged communities, local partners and various stakeholders to protect individuals and families from Covid-19.

Various strategies have been used to disseminate information to the community.

COVID-19Activities

COVID-19 Campaign during Lockdown:

The City embarked on a COVID-19 campaign covering all the three (3) administrative districts in the city.

A hailer and PA system are used to disseminate information with assistance from ambulance services.

These activities were conducted by City Health Department, Public Relations, Ambulance Services, National AIDS Council (NAC), Population Services Zimbabwe (PSZ), Ministry of Gender and Women’s Affairs and Nehemiah project. Moriti OA Sechaba continued activities on health and hygiene after their launch.

Areas Covered by RCCE teams were as follows.

CBD, (CBD Warnborough Mansions),Robert Sinyoka, St Peters, Mazwi, Hyde Park, Cowdray Park, Luveve, Pumula East, Pumula South, Pumula North, Pumula Old, Lobengula, Northend, Magwegwe North, Magwegwe West, Old Magwegwe, Nketa 7, Nketa 9, Nkulumane Sekusile, Nkulumane Complex, Makokoba, Mzilikazi, Barbourfields, Nguboyenja, Mahatshula North and Mahatshula South.

Achievements

  • Key Messages delivered to the community
  • The use of OK Mart wholesale’s intercom to relay health messages to the customers and encouraging the manager to continue messaging in the absence of the risk communication team
  • Significant gains on behaviour change in some areas continue to be observed due to persistent information dissemination to the residents
  • The uniformed forces (Policemen and the Zimbabwe National Army) collaboration ensured compliance on social distancing
  • Continuous support of hot spots yielded good results as there was compliance on social distancing
  • Reached out to deportees quarantined at Bulawayo Polytechnic and United College of Education
  • Vulnerable populations reached at the Children’s Home and Old People’s Home
  • Fumigation messages relayed to the residents at Cowdray Park.

Challenges

  • Public loitering remains a challenge
  • Lock down not observed especially in low density suburbs thereby putting the community at risk of contracting COVID-19infection.

Comments and Way Forward

  • o continue engaging the police and the business community in enforcing maintenance of social distancing
  • Information Dissemination in the CBD and hot spots to be done on daily basis
  • To continue engaging Councillors and residents associations to assist with information dissemination on prevention of COVID-19.
  • Engaging ZRP to assist in enforcing violation of lockdown protocols such as illegal open air worship etc.

Various messages on COVID-19 continue to be shared on social media.

Pre-recorded messages continue to be flighted on; Skyz Metro, Star FM and Khulumani FM.

Posters and Flyers distributed.

Health Education sessions on COVID-19 continue to be conducted on daily basis in all health facilities

CHALLENGES / RESOURCE GAPS IN RESPONDING

  • 1) Infodemics seem to be resurfacing
  • 2) Inadequate human resources should the cases increase in numbers and for testing.
  • 3) Need for more oxygen canisters, flow metres, delivers tubes an masks/nasal prongs
  • 4) Elangeni isolation/ quarantine being deactivated for positive but not ill cases

RECOMMENDATIONS & PRIORITY FOLLOW UP ACTIONS

  • 1) Stakeholders and public advised to resort to reputable sources of information
  • 2) Expedite secondment of 15 nurses and laboratory staff to BCC
  • 3)Expediting infrastructure renovations for piped oxygen etc
  • 4)Urgent identification of a new isolation centre for asymptomatic cases

LOGISTICS AND SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT

GOODS RECEIVED QUANTITY DATE RECEIVED DONOR Reporting Week
1. Rice 3 x10kg 28/03/2020 Qoki Zindlovukazi(UK based Zimbabweans) Week Ending 3 April 2020
2. Cooking oil 6 x 5lt " "
3. Mazoe juice 3 x 2lt " "
4. Brown sugar 15 x 2kg " "
5. Red Seal flour 3 x 10kg " "
6. Food for less White Rice 2 x 2kg " "
7. Winna Rice parboiled 2 x 5kg " "
8. Gold rice parboiled rice 1 x 1kg " "
9. Fiesta parboiled rice 1 x 10kg " "
10. Fiesta parboiled rice 1 x 5 kg " "
11. Mealie-meal 3 x 10 kg " "
12. FFP2 Face Masks 50 each 27/03/2020 PSI Zimbabwe Week Ending 3 April 2020
13. Liquid soap 80 x 5lt " "
14. Sanitizer 11 x 100ml 27/03/2020 OPHID Trust Week Ending 3 April 2020
15. Sanitizer 1 x 5lt " "
16. Surgical/Face masks 19 boxes " "
17. Latex gloves 36 boxes " "
18. Bed Sheets 300 each 31/03/2020 Rainbow Hotel Bulawayo Week Ending 3 April 2020
19. Pillow slips 300 each " "
20. Bath Towels 300 each
21. Mealie meal 8 x 10kg 30/03/2020 Thuthuka Bulawayo Trust Week Ending 3 April 2020
22. Rice 5 x 2kg
23. Instant porridge 10 x 1kg
24. Royco usavi soup 4 x 75g
25. Matemba 2 x 500g
26. Iris biscuits 10 x 1kg 31/03/2020
27. Instant porridge 3 x 1kg
28. Face Masks Bulawayo Babies Week Ending 3 April 2020
29. Solar Back Up Power System 15/04/2020 Chloride Zimbabwe Week Ending 3 April 2020
30. Surgical Gloves 30 pair 02/04/2020 MoHCC (Byo Natpharm) Week Ending 10 April 2020
31. Face masks 30 each " "
32. Gown(Aspace) 25 each " "
33. Medical Goggles 20 each " "
34. Shoe Covers 25 pairs " "
35. Thermometers 9 each " "
36. Hydrogen Peroxide 30 x 35kg 03/04/2020 Fossil Agro Week Ending 10 April 2020
37. Mazoe Syrups 18 x 2lt 01/04/2020 NAC Nkulumane Week Ending 17 April 2020
38. Mineral water 48 x 500ml " "
39. NAC COVID-19 Posters 500 09/04/2020 NAC Bulawayo Province Week Ending 17 April 2020
40. Disinfectant liquid 19 09/04/2020 "
41. Latex gloves 400 09/04/2020 "
42. Face Masks 5 x pack of 180 09/04/2020 Masks against Corona Virus (francismanamike@gmail.com) Well-wisher through Cllr Mabutho Week Ending 17 April 2020
43. Bottled water 9 cases of 24 x500ml 10/04/2020 Nehemiah Project Week Ending 17 April 2020
44. Sticky stuff 1 packet " "
45. Pepsi fizzy drink 1 case of 24 x 500ml " "
46. Mirinda Fizzy drink 2 cases of 24 x 500ml " "
47. Arenel biscuits 3 cases of 12 " "
48. Sanitizers (Gel) 50 x 100ml 11/04/2020 WHO Week Ending 17 April 2020
49. Infrared Thermometres 5 " "
50. Surgical Masks 2/pack of 50 " "
51. Tablets for data collection 5 " "
52. Diesel fuel coupons 500lt " "
Airtime US$500.00 " "
54. 200 sets of protective personal equipment (400 Overalls, 400 Aprons, 2000 gloves, 2000 Dust masks , 2000 shoes covers) Donated 9 /04/2020 Handed over 23/4/2020 Old Mutual and CABS Week Ending 17 April 2020
55. Fully Equipped Borehole at Thorngrove 14/04/2020 Bravo Borehole Drillers Week Ending 17 April 2020
56. Health Workers Gowns 40 12/4/2020 Bulawayo Entertainment Industry Association Week Ending 17 April 2020
57. Groceries ZWL$25,000 21/4/2020 Amavevane Social Football Club Week Ending 24 April 2020
58. Personal Protective Equipment (Sanitisers, Surgical Masks & Gloves) 21/4/2020 Nedbank through Iam4Byo fighting against COVID-19 Week Ending 24 April 2020
59. Gas Stove, 15 kg Gas cylinder, Supply of LP Gas during the COVID19 pandemic 21/4/2020 Value Gas Week Ending 24 April 2020
60. Sanitisers, Hydrogen Peroxide & Masks, Digital Advertising Space at Bradfield shopping centre 21/4/2020 Solatek Motor spares & Digitech Advertising Week Ending 24 April 2020
61. Sanitisers 50 x 20 litres 21 April 2020 Green Fuel Week Ending 24 April 2020
62. Hydrogen Peroxide 23 April 2020 Tierra Marketing Week Ending 24 April 2020
63. Hand Sanitisers 280 24 April 2020 Danish Church Week Ending 24 April 2020
64. Face Masks 1000
65. Hand Gloves 1000
66. Infrared thermometers 4
67. Handwashing Liquid Soap 18
68. Handwashing water buckets 5
69. Plastic Aprons 2000
70. Stand-alone Banners Executive 3
71. Banners Standard Roll Up 1
72. Vehicle Registration Stickers 25
73 Cellphones x 2 N95 Face Masks x 20 Cotton Face Masks x 200 Gloves x 600 Soap Dispensers 5 x 750ml 27 April 2020 Bulawayo Entertainment Industry Week ending 1 May 2020
74 Cotton Face Masks x 50 Magic Markers x 3 27 April 2020 TICOZ
75. Personal Protective Equipment 2.N95 masks x 400 2.Space suits x 30 3.Plastic aprons x 5 rolls 4.Googles x 20 5.Shygmometer x 5 6. Gloves x 10 boxes (500) 7. Bin liners x 10 rolls 8. Surgical Masks x 400 28 April 2020 Ezra Sibanda Initiative Week ending 1 May 2020
76. PPE Bread 50 x 5 litres Sanitisers 84 x 2litres dishwasher 50 loaves of Bread 28 April 2020 Chicken Inn Football Club Week ending 1 May 2020
77. Risk Communication Material 28 April 2020 Danish Church Aid Week ending 1 May 2020
78. Clothes 2 suitcases for Ekuphumuleni Old People’s home 28 April 2020 Adelaide Shearly Week ending 1 May 2020
79 Mineral Water 120 x 500ml 6 x 2 litres Mazoe 28 April Sexual Rights Centre Week ending 1 May 2020
80. Electrical Equipment 19 mm Conduit Pipe 25mm Nipples 19mm Couplings 19mm Nipples 3 x 3 Flash Boxes 13 amp double sockets 4ft Led tubes 29 April 2020 PDC Bulawayo Metro Province through Panashe Electricals Week ending 1 May 2020
81. PPE 1440 Face Masks 1000 Gloves 250ml x 20.5 litres 30 April 2020 Bulawayo Members of Parliament and Councillors Week ending 1 May 2020
82 Face Masks x 1450 Latex Gloves x 1000 Hand Sanitiser 20 x 5 litres 30 April 2020 Senator G Shoko (Medlive Marketing) Week ending 1 May 2020
83. Handwashing Equipment and Sanitiser Units Four (4) Handwashing Equipment (1 –Thorngrove, 1 Luveve Clinic & 2 Ekusileni Hospital) Two (2) Sanitiser units 30 April 2020 Mr Chauke Week ending 1 May 2020
84. Electric Pot 150 litres Electric Jacketed Pot 4 May 2020 Donald M Sibindi (0772 336 728) Week ending 8 May 2020
85 10 kgs Blue Ram Mealie Meal 2 kg Mega Value Long grain rice 2 litres pure drop cooking oil 2 kgs Selati Golden Brown sugar 1 g Mega Premium iodised salt 2 kg Gloria Self raising flour 500 grams green laundry bar soap 5 litres Sunklin Handsanitiser Box of 100 Qube Latex powdered gloves 100 cloth face masks 20 litre Petrotrade Diesel coupon 4 May 2020 PMD Bulawayo Dr W Mlilo Week ending 8 May 2020
86. Personal Protective Equipment Gloves Slightly powdered MED 10 X100s x 5 boxes Face Masks x 50 pieces x 20 6 May 2020 Qoki Zindlovukazi (UK Based Zimbabweans) Week ending 8 May 2020
87 Food Parcels for COVID -19 Patients 13 May 2020 Zimbabwe Christian Alliance Week ending 15 May 2020
88 201 Cloth Face Masks 11 May 2020 Mopane Foundation
89 Food Parcels to the Bulawayo City Football Club 13 May 2020 Johane Masowe Chishanu
90 Food Parcels to the Bulawayo City Football Club 13 May 2020 Johane Masowe Chishanu Week ending 15 May 2020
91 E F Watson (Sanitisers – 25l, Masks x 15, 1 x box latex gloves, Hand Sanitisers x 15) Cowdray Park – 18 Masks, 18 Sanitisers, 1 x box latex gloves, 25 litres sanitisers, Maqhawe – 25 litres, 16 bottles sanitisers, 1 box latex gloves, 16 masks. Nketa Clinic – Sanitisers x23, Masks x 23 , Box of Gloves, 25 litres drum of sanitisers. Tshabalala – 1x box of gloves, 1x 25 litres sanitisers, 16 x masks , 16 hand sanitisers. Pumula Clinic – Sanitisers x 18 masks, 18 latex gloves, 1 x box gloves, 25 litres sanitisers. Pumula South – 24 hand sanitisers, 24 cotton masks, 1 x box latex gloves, 25 litres sanitisers. Pelandaba – 16 masks, 16 hand sanitisers, 25 litres sanitisers, 1 box latex gloves, Nkulumane – 25 litres hand sanitisers, 1 x box gloves, 43 masks, 43 hand sanitisers, 43 masks, 1 x box of gloves, 25 litres sanitisers Luveve – 39 Cotton Masks, 1 box of gloves, 25 litres sanitisers, 39 hand sanitisers. Smile for Africa Week ending 15 May 2020
92 80 Bars of Laundry Soap Tuesday, 19 May 2020 CBC Old Boys Association Week Ending 22 May 2020
93 25 litres NUSTISER 3 boxes latex Gloves (3000) 260 Surgical masks Tuesday, 19 May 2020 Bring Back Bulawayo Week Ending 22 May 2020
94. Personal Protective Equipment 6 x 100 latex gloves 66 goggles. 65 overalls 66 Aprons 65 rubber gloves (PVC) 65 Surgical masks 65 N95 Masks 5 x pack of 100 latex gloves. 22 May 2020 Econet Group in partnership with Cassava Smarttech, Higher Life Foundation Week Ending 22 May 2020
95. Personal Protective Equipment 2 buckets and Mop Kits Sinklin Bleach x 34 Sinklin Handwash x 12 Sinklin Dishwasher x 10 50 Bars of Green Bar Elangeni Soap 22 May 2020 ZAPU Week Ending 22 May 2020
96. Water Tanks 2 x 200 litre Tanks 22 May 2020 Youth Alliance for Safer Cities Week Ending 22 May 2020
97. Hospital Beds 20 500 Surgical Masks 28 May 2020 Ezra Sibanda & Friends Initiative Sibambene Women’s Group Week Ending 29 May 2020
98. Personal Protective Equipment 500 Medical body suits 3750 3 ply Face Masks 750 N95 Masks 125 Face Shields 500 Goggles 5000 Gloves 2 June 2020 Stanbic Bank Zimbabwe Week ending 5 June 2020
99. Cleaning Equipment & 20 litres of Hand Sanitisers 5 litres of hand soap Paracetamol Tablets (100g) Betamol Syrup 60 bottles. 2 June 2020 Zimbabwe Cricket – Tuskers Cricket Franchise Week ending 5 June 2020
100. Personal Protective Equipment 1000 face masks 30 Surgical Kits 3 June 2020 City of Harare Week ending 5 June 2020

COUNCILLOR SOLOMON MGUNI

MAYOR

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  • (09) 71290 - All Networks
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