THE Ministry of Health and Child Care has said people most
affected by Covid-19 are in the 15 to 29 years age group, with the majority of
them being male.
To date, Zimbabwe has 34 confirmed cases of Covid-19,
including five recoveries and four deaths.
The Ministry, in its daily Covid-19 update report said a
total of 1 682 tests were done yesterday, bringing to 13 329 the total number
of Covid-19 tests done so far in the country.
“Of the 34 confirmed cases, 19 (56 percent) are males and
the most affected age group is between 15 to 29 years,” read the Ministry’s
statement.
In the 0-14 age group, two Covid-19 cases have been
confirmed, while 11 cases have been confirmed in the 15-29 age group.
Eight cases were recorded in the 30-44 years age group
while another eight positive cases were recorded in the 25-59 years age group.
Five cases have so far been recorded in the 60 years and above age group. The
revelations are made at a time when Government has encouraged companies to buy
rapid tests kits and arrange with designated testing facilities for their
employees to be tested for Covid-19.
Last Friday, President Mnangagwa extended the national
lockdown by a further two weeks, but directed some sectors to start operating.
Mpilo Central Hospital clinical director and renowned
medical researcher Dr Solwayo Ngwenya said the high numbers of males infected
by Covid-19 may have been a result of low risk perception amongst men.
“These are males that are testosterone charged. They feel
strong and think they can conquer the world. They may also be disregarding
social distancing and assuming a false immunity and going about as normal.
Mostly males are risk takers and there is that low health seeking and safety
adherence behaviour by males generally. The 15-29 age group could be the most
affected in terms of age groups as they are the most energetic. This group is
active and may also disregard social distancing and other safety precautions.
Some may be immune suppressed and may have weak defence mechanisms from other
existing conditions,” he said. Chronicle
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