From April to June 2021, the city of Bukavu registered a total of 80 positive COVID-19 cases. Approximately 90% of those positive cases were registered from in the IBANDA municipality (Health Zone), which identified IBANDA as the most affected municipality in the city of Bukavu.

The months of April, May, and June 2021 were characterized by the continued vaccination campaign against COVID-19 in Bukavu. However, vaccination is still a controversial subject among the population of Bukavu due to rumors conveyed by social networks and international media sources. As result, it is difficult for people to adhere to the vaccination guidelines, and it has been observed that there are no more “Get Vaccinated” alerts being broadcasted. This has triggered an increase in self-medication and management by health centers for cases meeting the definition of COVID-19 without the official diagnosis. It should also be noted that the nurses’ strike during the month of June 2021 has impacted the city’s ability t continuously monitor cases that met the definition of COVID-19.

In order to limit the progression of the third wave of COVID-19, the Indian variant, the President of the DR Congo instituted 13 restrictive measures on 15.06.2021. In support of the presidential COVID-19 measures, the Minister of Primary, Secondary, and Technical Education (EPST), set out 9 additional measures on June 14, 2021 to fight the third wave of the COVID-19 virus in schools and training centers.

COVID-19 has caused many economic shortfalls following repetitive lockdowns and the limitation of movement between the DRC and neighboring countries and within the country itself. In fact, the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly disrupted the economic activities and lifestyles of the population in the South-Kivu province. These activities largely depends on the informal economy, including small internal and external trade, which is characterized by interpersonal exchanges.