Chiredzi residents resist COVID-19 vaccination

By The Standard and Newsday | Sep. 2, 2021 | 2 Min read

According to district medical officer Brian Dhlandhlara, 33 000 have received their first jabs while only 20 700 people have so far received their second doses out of a population of over 300 000 people, with 62 people succumbing to the disease.

BY GARIKAI MAFIRAKUREVA

ALTHOUGH Chiredzi town was red-zoned early this year as a COVID-19 hotspot and put under localised lockdown, residents in the sugar-producing district are still reluctant to get vaccinated.

The majority of those vaccinated are Tongaat Hullet workers.

Dhlandhlara said this on Tuesday while addressing a stakeholders meeting on COVID-19 vaccination, water provision, hygiene and sanitation organised by United Chiredzi Residents and Ratepayers Association (UCHIRRA).

“We are carrying out awareness campaigns because we have a few people who are willing to get vaccinated. A large number is sitting on the fence and remain undecided. People should know that unvaccinated people are at higher risk of contracting the deadly virus and there is also a higher chance of death. I would like to thank Tongaat Hullet for vaccinating its workers,” Dhlandhlara said.

Police Inspector Lydia Tshuma, during her presentation said they had arrested several people for flouting COVID-19 regulations.

These include 68 vendors, 30 touts, 76 for liquor offences, 30 operators of pirate taxis, 25 operators of private kombis and three buses.

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“As police we are playing our part to curb violations of COVID-19 regulations. We want to warn members of the public that we won’t hesitate to arrest those who break the law,” Tshuma said.

Chiredzi is among areas classified as COVID-19 hotspots following a surge in new virus cases.

Masvingo and Chiredzi in Masvingo province, Nkulumane, Emakhandeni and all the northern suburbs of Bulawayo, Kwekwe, Hurungwe and Karoi were classified as COVID-19 hotspots following a surge in virus cases.