•       This is the only case of the Indian variant detected so far.

•       The affected individual had recently travelled from India to Zambia.

•       So far the situation is under control.

Ministry of Health says Zambia has so far detected one case of the new Indian Variant B.1.617 in a 42 year old man.

Speaking during the routine Covid-19 updates, Permanent Secretary for Technical Services Dr. Kennedy Malama said the affected individual had recently travelled from India to Zambia and has since been isolated.

Dr. Malama assured that all stringent public health interventions have been put in place to prevent further spread of the Indian variant, urging Zambians not to panic.

“As a country, we have isolated the new Indian Variant B.1.617 in one person who travelled from India to Zambia. This is the only case of the Indian variant detected so far. As a response, we have taken appropriate measures to ensure that the concerned individual who is a 42 year old man was put under proper quarantine and appropriate interventions put in place to secure the lives of the people this person may come in contact with.”

“So far the situation is under control and this particular person is not unwell,” Dr. Malama said.

He also disclosed that the country’s total Covid-19 vaccinations now stand at 120,209 following an additional administration of 5,442 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine in the last 24 hours.

Dr. Malama further said Zambia has reserved AstraZeneca vaccines for use as second dose for those who have already received the first dose, due to anticipated shortage as a result of increased demand from India who are prioritizing production of vaccines for its citizenry.

“Due to the unforeseen circumstances leading to increased COVID-19 cases in India, India is prioritizing the production of vaccines for its citizenry. This development has affected the production of the AstraZeneca vaccines for export and countries including Zambia are likely to encounter challenges in the acquisition of AstraZeneca through the COVAX facility.”

Therefore, as a country we have made a decision to ring-fence the remaining doses of AstraZeneca vaccines for use as second dose for members of the public who have already received the first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine,” he added. Meanwhile, Dr. Malama stated that the number of new COVID-19 admissions to hospitals and cases detected through routine surveillance system are steadily rising, an indication of continued transmission in the country.

He revealed that Zambia in the last 24 hours recorded 60 new confirmed cases out of 4,877 tests done, 2 new deaths, and 30 discharges while 44 people are currently admitted to various isolation facilities.

Dr. Malama added that the cumulative number of cases now stands at 92,520, with 1,263 Covid-19 related deaths, 90,892 discharges and 365 active cases under community management and isolation facilities.