• Government will ensure Covid-19 vaccine is of good quality.
• Vaccine to meet all World Health Organization standards.
• 1,343 new Covid-19 cases recorded with 14 new deaths.

Newly appointed Health Minister says government will ensure that the Covid-19 vaccine that will come into the county will be of good quality and will meet all the World Health Organization guidelines and standards.

Speaking during his first Covid-19 update, Dr Jonas Chanda has since called for more research on both traditional and conventional treatment of the pandemic.
Dr Chanda however says a more comprehensive statement will soon be issued on all matters and concerns relating to the vaccine and when its will be available in the country.

And Dr Chanda has disclosed that the country has recorded 1,343 new cases with 14 new deaths.

He said the Covid-19 cases are as a result of 11,302 tests conducted in the last 24 hours, bringing the number of cumulative tests conducted since the outbreak of the pandemic to 730,150.

Dr Chanda noted that of the 14 deaths, 8 have been classified as Covid-19 deaths, while 3 have been identified as Covid-19 associated deaths, while 3 are still pending classification.

“The total number of deaths now stands at 509, with 178 being classified as Covid-19 deaths while 328 have been classified as Covid-19 associated deaths while 3 are pending classification,” he said.

Dr Chanda also said 494 recoveries have been recorded, while active cases now stand at 9023.

He further pledged to restore public confidence in the provision of health sector services and assured of total transparency and accountability.