Zimbabwean Bishop in COVID-19 Isolation Advocates for Strict Respect of Measures

He goes on to express his appreciation to the people of God in Zimbabwe for journeying with him in prayer saying, “I am grateful for your prayers, and the support of my brother Priests, and Religious.”

Bishop Mupandasekwa further says, “We have prepared Saint Albert’s Mission hospital as the referral hospital where we can get help in the time when we will need it. We have bought oxygen concentrators for those who due to the virus will struggle with breathing.”

The Local Ordinary of Chinhoyi Diocese continues, “We have asked Doctor Chitambo and the doctors at Saint Albert’s Mission hospital to assist in cases of need. We will continue to equip our hospitals as best as we can.”

“Our churches will remain closed until it is safe to reopen. Be assured of my prayers as you and your families face this pandemic,” the Zimbabwean Bishop says, and implores, “I wish you God’s protection and guidance in this difficult time.”

Zimbabwe has experienced a spike in what is considered the second wave of COVID-19 infections that has seen the country record 9,149 cases between December 29 and January 11. As of January 20, country had recorded at least 28,675 COVID-19 cases with 825 deaths and 18,110 recoveries.

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On January 12, only seven nurses were left to cover shifts at St Albert’s Mission hospital after their 26 colleagues tested positive for COVID-19.

Dozens of staff members at the Catholic hospital have tested positive for the coronavirus, a situation that is “wreaking havoc” at the hospital, the leadership of the Diocese’s Social Communications announced.

On January 19, the Sister at the helm of the Handmaids of Our Lady of Mount Carmel (Carmelites) in Zimbabwe expressed the need for psychosocial and moral support amid COVID-19 pandemic in the Southern African nation.

“We need to inculcate the spirit of tolerance and psychosocial support. Moral support is very critical in COVID-19 situations as it gives hope to push through the odious experience,” Sr. Madeline Chapisa said.

She added, “There is psychological destabilization and trauma as a result of COVID-19 and it is important to capacitate our members on how to deal with the situation when it strikes.”

Last year April, the President of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM), Phillip Cardinal Ouédraogo, tested positive for coronavirus recovered.

In August, the Bishop of Nigeria’s Yola Diocese also tested positive for COVID-19 and later recovered. 

The Archbishop of Kenya’s Nyeri Archdiocese who recovered from the disease expressed appreciation to the people of God in the East Africa country, thanking them for journeying with him in prayers as he battled the disease.

Jude Atemanke is a Cameroonian journalist with a passion for Catholic Church communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Buea in Cameroon. Currently, Jude serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.