Minster of Health has disclosed that Zambia has not recorded any new COVID-19 cases from the 99 people tested in the last 24 hours.
Speaking at a media briefing, Dr Chitalu Chilufya said the 99 tests conducted involve people who are contacts of the confirmed cases and the results have shown that none of them came out positive, hence the number of confirmed cases remains at 36.
“In the last 24 hours we have not recorded any laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19, and Zambia still remains 36 cases of COVID-19,” Dr Chilufya said.
Dr Chilufya further said this brings the country to the cumulative total of 619 individuals tested by the end of yesterday and the Ministry will continue testing individuals who are in the matrix of contacts of people who have tested positive
“All the 36 remain in isolation and all except one are exhibiting mild or no symptom and the patient who had severe symptoms continues to be on Oxygen but is not deteriorating,” he stated.
And Dr Chilufya disclosed that President Edgar Lungu has authorized the recruitment of 400 doctors and in excess of 3, 000 paramedics in order to support COVID-19 response and that the recruitment will commence today.
He said the Head of State has also ordered that incentives be provided for health workers who are working at the Frontline in order to motivate them.
“Zambia has made some significant decisions to enhance the response. His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia has authorized the recruitment of 400 Doctors in order for us to support the response and in excess of 3, 000 Paramedicals in order to support the response. The recruitment will commence today,” Dr Chilufya announced.
Meanwhile, ZCCM-IH donated a state of the art Ambulance valued at about K100, 000 US dollars as a way of joining efforts with the government in the fight against the pandemic.
ZCCM-IH Chief Executive Officer Mabvuto Chipata applauded government t for the measures put in place to help manage and contain the spread of the disease.
And the Zambia Medicine Regulatory Authority (ZAMRA) donated a consignment of alcohol-based hand Sanitizers valued at K50, 000 as one way of supplementing government efforts in combating the scourge.