• The country is now standing at a national average COVID-19 vaccination coverage 31%.
• A number of districts have recorded over 50% fully vaccinated persons.
• In the last 24 hours, Zambia recorded 55 new cases out of 950 tests conducted countrywide.

Minister of Health has disclosed that the national average Covid-19 vaccination coverage now stands at 31%.
Sylvia Masebo said this represents over 3.3 million full doses administered across the country, with a number of districts recording over 50% fully vaccinated individuals.
Ms. Masebo urged all organisations including places of worship, schools, and business houses to quickly report any increase in respiratory infections as well as any other infectious diseases to the health authorities for quick action.
She disclosed that in the last few days, the Ministry noted clusters of Covid-19 at David Kaunda Secondary School in Lusaka and Hillcrest Technical Secondary School in Livingstone, but that management in the affected areas have quickly notified health authorities, resulting in the quick action and controlled outcome.
Ms. Masebo was speaking in a speech read for her by Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary for Technical Services Professor Lackson Kasonka at a media briefing in Lusaka.
“I am pleased to note the increased number of people who have accessed the vaccine. We are now standing at a national average COVID-19 vaccination coverage 31%. Of concern is the poor adherence to prescribed public health and social measure, for as long as we are not adequately protected as a whole population, the transmission continues.”
“To all who are not yet vaccinated, it is not too late to make a smart choice, roll up your sleeve and get vaccinated,” Ms. Masebo said.
Meanwhile, Ms. Masebo revealed that the country recorded 471 new cases and 1 death, in the just ended week, compared to 519 cases and 2 deaths the previous week, representing a 9% decrease.
She further disclosed that in the last 24 hours, 55 new cases were detected out of 950 tests conducted countrywide.
“Notably, Central, Eastern, Muchinga and Northern were zero reporting. The overall national positivity today is at 6%.”
“On a worrying note, we had more persons getting admitted for COVID-19 complications this past week with 22 new admissions compared to 17 last week. Our overall national positivity for the week remained stable at 4% for a third consecutive week,” she stated.
World Health Organization (WHO) has set a target of 70% Covid-19 vaccination coverage for all countries by June 2022, after a target for achieving full vaccination rates of 40% in every country by the end of December 2021 was missed across most of Africa.