Minister of Health has disclosed that Zambia 15 Members of Parliament have tested Positive to Covid-19.

Speaking at a Media briefing, Dr. Chitalu Chilufya disclosed that all the MPs have been contacted and isolated in various facilities and those who require further therapy are being transferred to Covid-Centers but that none of them is critically ill.

He thanked management at the National Assembly for advocating for a high impact intervention in the control of the pandemic.

We would like to thank management at the National Assembly for the leadership shown, for the political will, for advocating for a high impact intervention in the control of Covid-19 by making it possible for us to test Members of Parliament and staff.”

“This will not only enable us to manage those who are positive but will also help us to stem the possible spread to constituents and families. As they reintegrate with their constituents they shall be healthy,” Dr. Chilufya said.

And Dr. Chilufya revealed that the country has recorded 154 new cases out of 835 tests conducted in the last 24 hours, while two more people have succumbed to the pandemic, bringing the total number of deaths to 136, whereas the cumulative 3, 856.

He said one hundred and fourteen individuals were identified from routine community screening, Twenty-seven people identified through healthcare facility screening, Eleven contacts to known positive cases in Lusaka, Two healthcare workers screened in Kitwe and Ndola respectively.

“We have lost one of our critical patients at Levy Mwanawasa COVID Isolation Center. He had co-morbidity with hypertension. We have also lost one who died in the community of Lusaka. This brings our cumulative number of deaths to 136, of which 130 have so far been classified as 33 deaths due to COVID-19 and 97 COVID-19-associated deaths. May their Souls rest in eternal peace.”

He also said a total of 253 patients have been discharged among people being nursed at the health facilities and on home isolation, bringing the total number of recoveries to 1,941, while 16 patients are on oxygen support two of whom are in very critical condition.

Meanwhile, the Health Minister expressed worry to note that some members of the public have continued to patronize drinking spots and disregard wearing of masks in public despite the escalated status of the outbreak.

He reminded the Public that Statutory Instruments 21, 22 and 62 are still active and anyone breaching the public health regulation, thereby putting themselves and others at risk shall be brought to book.”

“The public health measures stipulated are not to punish anyone but keep us all safe and help us quickly control and contain the outbreak. I reiterate that to stem the outbreak timely, we must all adhere to the stipulated public health measures.”

“Let’s change the business as usual posture, Covid-19 has radically escalated. Killing the person you know,” he stated.