Minister of Health Chitalu Chilufya has warned that the government will impose drastic measures should there be a continuous laxity among members of the public towards adherence to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) preventive guidelines.
Dr. Chilufya disclosed that President Edgar Lungu has expressed concern with the sudden upsurge in the number of COVID-19 cases in the recent past.
He said the increase is as a result of relaxation to public health guidelines among the people.
The Minister reiterated that laxity to the stipulated guidelines is fueling the super spread of the second wave of the pandemic.
He therefore stated that pressing drastic measures will be the only solution to managing the further spread of the Coronavirus.
As a call to action, Dr. Chilufya urged the citizenry to get back to the basics of ensuring that they adhere to the five golden rules as stipulated by the public health authorities.
“Let us ensure that we live within the health guidelines, if we continue to see the rise in numbers by poor adherence, the message from President Lungu is for us to press for more drastic measures because it is the only way to stop the transmission,” Dr. Chilufya said.
Dr. Chilufya revealed that the country has in the last 24 hours recorded 411 new cases of COVID-19 out of 5, 190 tests done, four deaths and 146 recoveries.
He stated that most of the confirmed cases have a history of super spreader events such as traditional functions, night clubs and gatherings at parties among others, with poor adherence to public health guidelines.
The Minister was speaking at a press briefing in Lusaka today.
He has since called on political parties to show solidarity in the fight against the pandemic as opposed to politicising the disease in order for them to gain political mileage.
He noted that government is making all possible efforts to ensure that people’s lives are protected, while at the same time the economy is kept running.
“I would like to state that COVID-19 is a deadly and ferocious enemy of humanity which has claimed more than one million lives globally. The globe has united in solidarity and unity of purpose to protect humanity, and today any political leader trying to derive political mileage out of such a scourge is disastrous,” he said.
Meanwhile, Ministry of Health Director of Infectious Diseases Lloyd Mulenga disclosed that the approved COVID-19 vaccines will soon be in the country.
Professor Mulenga indicated that vaccines earmarked for Zambia are very safe and that emergency authorisation for use has been granted by the global health community.
“When we look at the approved vaccines so far, the ones which we are going to receive in the country have undergone three different phases,” Prof. Mulenga said.
He expressed disappointment that some sectors of society are against the admission of the vaccines.
He further explained that the safety data has been provided across all races, hence government will only have to prepare the communities for the vaccines.
This virus also
That’s where we are heading… People especially in the compounds don’t adhere to health guidelines at all
Yes the government should impose drastic measures if people are not going to follow the guidelines
People are not taking this virus seriously. It is time to act and I encourage my brother lusambo to go back in the streets and enforce the whipping model. It worked great last time. Also I urge you all my fellow zambians not to listen to evil upnd diasporans who are blogging here and telling you that covid is not real and who are encouraging you not to listen to our minister. Remember that in their countries there in diaspora they are dying like chickens so they are not happy that here we have few deaths. They are agents of evil
Look at this man chitalu chilufya is not wearing a mask but want to force me to wear a mask nakukanina mudala
The minister is worried about super spreader events? Good point.
What then is the VP doing in Mongu staging political rallies? Shouldn’t all politicians be laying off these big events?
“Dr. Chilufya revealed that the country has in the last 24 hours recorded 411 new cases of COVID-19 out of 5, 190 tests done, four deaths and 146 recoveries.” So now everyone is supposed to live in fear of flu season? This is no longer about logic, this is an international show of force among governments to show who can control their population most. And for that, we’re all supposed to live in mortal fear of the flu, all year around. Sars-Cov-2/Covid19 was and still is a fraud. Of multi-trillion dollar proportions.
People have developed a very bad I don’t care attitude ….which is really sad
In other countries which are more scientifically, technologically and medically advanced have failed to effectively deal with this virus. They imposed the strictest covid 19 rules (lockdown) but still the virus has survived. What’s there left to do. Let’s continue living life taking Covid 19 as one of those diseases.
“Professor Mulenga indicated that vaccines earmarked for Zambia are very safe”
Professor Mulenga is a brazen liar. There is no such thing as a vaccine that is safe for mass vaccination. Especially without at least a decade of research and observation of side effects. Remember how HIV was supposed to make people sick after 8 years and kill them of various causes in 10 years? If there’s another HIV fellow traveler in their ‘live attenuated virus’ vaccines for instance they’re creating a massive health crisis. Do not get any vaccine.
Bring in a temporal law to make masks mandatory,fine anyone breaking it.dont waste time,because its silently moving around,functions are super spreads.
We will have ourselves to blame if people die in numbers because we have been given enough information about the deadly pandemic
Lazo
the evil upnd diasporans want to paint our minister as a liar because in their master’s country they are dying like chickens. So they are not happy that we are doing much better than them at handling this virus and are trying to mislead people. These are agents of the devil. Do not believe them
the evil upnd diasporans want to paint our minister as a liar because in their master’s country they are dying like chickens. So they are not happy that we are doing much better than them at handling this virus and are trying to mislead people. These are agents of the devil. Do not believe them x
the evil upnd diasporans want to paint our minister as a liar because in their master’s country they are dying like chickens. So they are not happy that we are doing much better than them at handling this virus and are trying to mislead people. These are agents of the devil. Do not believe them . they are evil
Start with 2 diamond TV presenters on the set tonight with a questionable social distance between them and with no masks but seriously urging people to wear masks because covid is real
How effective are these guidelines like masking up, shosho distancing, and lock downs, sanitizing, if countries that have been following these guidelines religiously are still grapling with covid? Maybe the only solution is vaccinating the entire world.
pf rules with threats,In the Morning Education ps was threatening Private Schools, Now ni Chitalu. ala mwebantu.
If you wasnt to stop the rapid spread of the virus you have to identify the super spreaders like bars , Markets and Bus stations.
South Sfrica and Boyswana have prohibited the sale of alcohol and introduced curfews. Zimbabwe is under complete lock down.
In Zambia it is “President Edgar Lungu has expressed concern with the sudden upsurge in the number of COVID-19 cases in the recent past.
He said the increase is as a result of relaxation to public health guidelines among the people.:”
Act now instead of threatening Zambians
You’re the same so called leaders who violate the guidelines.So kabiyeni uko ??
The issue i have with this government is its tone. Threats and warnings all the time..for covid do not do such just institute the serious measures. Warnings and threats are now part of the political landscape of Zambia. It is a wrong approach.
Dr chilufya with the so called professor Mulenga, your qualifications has been now seen that you don’t really deserve them, how come you so easily deceived. The vaccines coming to Zambia are safe they have Undergone 3 phases. What nonsense, were you there when they were passing them in 3 phases, what phases if I may ask???. Those vaccines are safe for you and your children. Count me out of this useless equation, covid 19 is nothing but fiasco debacle. Some statements “only drastic measure on people is the solution to the spread”. Let me give you caution! Whether with your threatenS or not Covid 19 is a fraudulent and your opinions will not change that truth.
It’s unfortunately on how the so enlighted people behave failing to just adhere to simple health guidelines for your own sake. Life is more important than opinions.life cannot be replaced but we have ideas and opinions that will change with time. Adhere to the health guidelines and stay safe.
Covid 19 almost got me beaten,I was watching a match between chelsea and man city.i arrived for the match 5minutes late then I discovered that I was the only one with a mask,wa. Someone called me from the back boi covid ya mu 2020.remove the mask or go home.i looked at him and concentrated on the game.what a strange feing..