Minister of Health Jonas Chanda says the COVID-19 cases requiring admission has continued to reduce with the number being less than one hundred, for the past six days.

Dr Chanda adds that as of today, the country has seen no admissions in Central, Luapula and Western provinces, a similar case with isolation facilities outside Lusaka District in Lusaka Province.

The Minister notes that as the ministry winds down the operations on some of the COVID-19 isolation centres, it has continued taking stock of the equipment and human resource invested, in order for them to be adequately prepared for a possible third wave, which may require scaled up capacity.

He indicated in a statement released to ZANIS in Lusaka today that training of health staff in emergency response, remains top priority, not only for a possible COVID-19 third wave but for other eventual disease outbreaks.

“On that note, we wish to wholeheartedly thank all the frontline health workers in the entire response. It has not been easy to work under emergency conditions for over one year now,” he said.

“We thank you for your efforts to save the lives of our people and subsequently turning the situation around while managing the other disease burdens such as infectious and non- communicable including Maternal and Child Health issues.” Dr Chanda added.

And the Minister has announced that his ministry has enhanced its surveillance activities during the long Easter weekend, including in congregate settings such as churches and institutions of higher learning.

He noted that in the past, the Ministry of Health observed a disappointing level of laxity among people gathering at social events and reiterated the need to continue adhering to the five health guidelines, as they remain cardinal in the country’s efforts to fight the pandemic.

“Please note that the COVID-19 public health guidelines have not changed. The five golden rules remain the bedrock of our efforts to curb community transmission. We must maintain our positivity below the recommended 5% across all the provinces if we are to further reduce community transmission,” urged Dr Chanda.

Meanwhile, the Minister has revealed that Zambia has in the last 24 hours recorded 181 new cases out of 4,814 tests conducted, representing a 4 percent positivity and bringing the cumulative number of confirmed cases recorded to date to 88,730.

The Minister of Health has stated that the new cases and positivity broken down by province shows that Central Province recorded 39, Lusaka 31, North-western 22, Luapula Province 20 and 16 for Eastern Province.

Others were 16 from Southern Province, Western 14, Muchinga 10, 8 from Northern and 5 from the Copperbelt Province.

“Regrettably, we recorded three new deaths among them two from Lusaka and one from North-western Province. The cumulative number of COVID-19 related deaths recorded now stands at 1,215, classified as 678 COVID deaths and 537 COVID-19 associated deaths,” he highlighted.

And Dr Chanda added that a combined 127 discharges were recorded from both the COVID-19 isolation facilities and home management, bringing the cumulative number of recoveries to 84,825 representing 96 percent.

The Minister further stated that currently the country has 2,690 active cases, of which 2,610 are under community management and 80 are admitted to COVID-19 isolation facilities.

“Among those admitted, 60 are on Oxygen therapy and 10 are in critical condition,” he said.

Dr Chanda has further appealed to all members of the public to be on guard during this Easter weekend, adding that the reduction in case positivity is not cause for not adhering to the health guidelines.

Health Minister Dr. Jonas Chanda has warned that Government will take action by closing learning institutions that will record a high number of cases due to laxity in following guidelines set for the prevention of Covid-19 in schools.

Commenting on reports that a significant number of students from Levy Mwanawasa Medical University had tested positive for Covid-19, Dr. Chanda said he was disappointed that a medical University which should lead by example, was one that had recorded the numbers due to laxity.

“We have do not want our higher learning institutions to become epicenters for Covid-19, and with that, the President has been very clear, that stipulated guidelines are followed, you do not follow the guidelines, we close you.” Dr. Chanda said.

And the Health Minister has appealed to the Public not to relax in the prevention of Covid-19 over the coming long weekend.

Speaking during the Covid-19 update today, Dr. Chanda said there is likely to be an increase in social gatherings which are a conduit for the spread of Covid-19.
“we anticipate a number of social gatherings. We wish to remind our people that these congregate settings are a conduit for the super spread of COVID-19, as many people attend these events with poor adherence to the public health guidance.”

“Despite the reduction in our case positivity, I wish to remind us all that the risk of infection remains high, particularly in congregate settings. Therefore, I wish to earnestly appeal to each and every Zambian to be on guard this long weekend. Do not give in to laxity.” The Minister said.

And in the last 24 hours, 131 new Covid-19 cases have been recorded in the last 24 hours out of 5, 487 translating into a 2% positivity rate, bringing the cumulative number of cases recorded to 88,549 a combined total of 106 discharges were recorded both from the Covid-19 isolation facilities and home management bringing the cumulative number of recoveries to 84, 698 translating to 96%.

On a sad note, 4 deaths were recorded in the last 24 hours bringing the cumulative number of Covid-19 related deaths to 1,212 classified as 676 Covid-19 deaths and 536 Covid-19 associated death.