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Trends and Dynamics of COVID-19 in Zimbabwe: Implications for Selected Sustainable Development Goals

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COVID-19 in Zimbabwe

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Abstract

This study analysed the spatial and temporal trends and dynamics of COVID-19 to understand their implications on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Zimbabwe. Data on daily cases and mortality rates of COVID-19 were collected from the Worldometer website, whilst data on lockdown measures and travel restrictions were collected from Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Health and Child Care. Exploratory and confirmatory analyses were employed on statistical data. COVID-19 statistical data were first tested for normality using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. Subsequently, the non-parametric Mann-Kendal (M-K) test was performed to determine the monthly average number of new cases and deaths trend from March 2020 to February 2022 using XLSTAT (2020). The study shows a significant increase (p = 0.00, α = 0.05) in COVID-19 cases between March 2020 and February 2022. The trend is characterised by sharp increases associated with wave periods. Although the results show no correlation between stringency index and COVID-19 cases, periods of high stringency are associated with a slightly lower number of cases. The spatial trends show that highly populated areas have high numbers of patient cases. Indeed, the lockdown measures put in place, among other factors, contributed to controlling the spread of the virus. The trends and dynamics of COVID-19 in Zimbabwe have implications for achieving SDG 1, SDG 2, SDG 3 and SDG 6. Thus, there is a need to factor in the temporal and spatial realities of COVID-19 in making a policy framework for effective control of the pandemic and promotion of sustainable development.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Soil and Plant Sciences, Garry Magadzire School of Agriculture, Great Zimbabwe University, Masvingo, Zimbabwe

    Michael Ticharwa Mubvuma, Kosamu Nyoni & Pardon Chidoko

  2. Exxaro Chair in Climate and Sustainability Transitions, University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa

    Lazarus Chapungu & David Chikodzi

  3. Department of Physics, Geography and Environmental Science, Great Zimbabwe University, Masvingo, Zimbabwe

    Isaac Nyambiya

  4. Gary Magadzire School of Agriculture, Great Zimbabwe University, Masvingo, Zimbabwe

    Clarice P. Mudzengi, Everson Dahwa & Xavier Poshiwa

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  1. Michael Ticharwa Mubvuma
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  2. Lazarus Chapungu
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  3. David Chikodzi
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  4. Isaac Nyambiya
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  5. Clarice P. Mudzengi
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  6. Everson Dahwa
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  7. Xavier Poshiwa
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  8. Kosamu Nyoni
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  9. Pardon Chidoko
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Correspondence to Michael Ticharwa Mubvuma .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Exxaro Chair in Climate and Sustainability Transitions, University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa

    Lazarus Chapungu

  2. Exxaro Chair in Climate and Sustainability Transitions, University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa

    David Chikodzi

  3. Department of Tourism and Integrated Communications, Vaal University of Technology, Vanderbijlpark, South Africa

    Kaitano Dube

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Mubvuma, M.T. et al. (2023). Trends and Dynamics of COVID-19 in Zimbabwe: Implications for Selected Sustainable Development Goals. In: Chapungu, L., Chikodzi, D., Dube, K. (eds) COVID-19 in Zimbabwe. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-21472-1_13

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