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The COVID-19 Pandemic in Zimbabwe: A Spatial and Temporal Perspective

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The COVID-19 - Health Systems Nexus

Part of the book series: Global Perspectives on Health Geography ((GPHG))

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Abstract

Numerous pandemics have ravaged the world since prehistoric times. Some of the prevalent pandemics include the flu pandemic (1889–1890), Spanish flu (1918–1920), AIDS (1981–present) and the H1N1 swine flu pandemic (2009–2010). As pandemics occur, their incidence and prevalence rates are spatially heterogeneous, and the spatial distributions change over time. Understanding the national spatial distribution, temporal epidemic trends and transmission patterns of COVID-19 contributes to providing timely information for the national response to the pandemic. This chapter examines the Zimbabwean COVID-19 pandemic spatial patterns and temporal trends to enable decision-makers to prioritise vulnerable regions and plan appropriately as informed by the temporal patterns. A quantitative research design was adopted, which involved statistical computations and mapping of COVID-19 variable data obtained from web-based repositories. Results indicate spatial variability in the proliferation of COVID-19, with the most populated areas experiencing higher infection rates. There is a significant increase in the monthly new infections and new deaths, while the cumulative infection rates show some phases of steep increase. The case fatality rate has flattened. Policymakers and stakeholders must design strategies that respond to the spatial and temporal trends for optimal containment of the pandemic.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physics, Geography and Environmental Science, School of Natural Sciences, Great Zimbabwe University, Masvingo, Zimbabwe

    Evans Chazireni

  2. Exxaro Chair in Climate and Sustainability Transitions, Institute for Corporate Citizenship, University of South Africa, Unisa, South Africa

    Lazarus Chapungu & Godwell Nhamo

Authors
  1. Evans Chazireni
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  2. Lazarus Chapungu
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  3. Godwell Nhamo
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Evans Chazireni .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Exxaro Chair in Climate and Sustainability Transitions, Institute for Corporate Citizenship, University of South Africa, Unisa, South Africa

    Lazarus Chapungu

  2. Exxaro Chair in Climate and Sustainability Transitions, Institute for Corporate Citizenship, University of South Africa, Unisa, South Africa

    David Chikodzi

  3. Department of Hospitality, Tourism and Public Relations Management Vaal University of Technology, Vanderbijlpark, South Africa

    Kaitano Dube

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Chazireni, E., Chapungu, L., Nhamo, G. (2023). The COVID-19 Pandemic in Zimbabwe: A Spatial and Temporal Perspective. In: Chapungu, L., Chikodzi, D., Dube, K. (eds) The COVID-19 - Health Systems Nexus. Global Perspectives on Health Geography. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-21602-2_2

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