Thursday, March 28, 2024

Government biggest concern now is the widespread community spread of COVID-19

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The government has said that its biggest concern on COVID-19 currently is the widespread community spread, which is being exacerbated by the poor adherence to public health guidelines by most people.

Minister of Health Dr.Jonas Chanda however stated that his ministry is working day and night to address this.

Speaking during the COVID-19 routine update in Lusaka today, Dr. Chanda disclosed that the Ministry is carrying out contact tracing within the communities in order to break the chain of transmission and has since encouraged all well-meaning Zambians to disclose to their close contacts once they test positive for COVID-19.

He noted that this will greatly aid government’s efforts to reach as many potentially infected people and ensure the spread is halted.

The Minister also disclosed that his ministry is working in collaboration with the IBA, MISA, private media houses and other partners to produce educational programmes for radio and television, and will continue to speak with a common voice on all platforms.

Dr. Chanda who is also Bwana Mkubwa Member of Parliament is delighted that traditional leaders from all Provinces have strogly indicated that they will set the precedent in their respective chiefdoms to ensure adherence to the set guidelines.

“Furthermore, they have pledged their unwavering support for the mandatory wearing of facemasks if Government introduces that,” Dr. Chanda said.

Meanwhile, Dr Chanda disclosed that the Zambian government, under the leadership of his Excellency President Edgar Chagwa Lungu, through the Ministry of Health is working with a consortium of experts including the UNZA School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, JICA, PATH, Public Health England and the CDC to carry out genomic sequencing of the Corona Virus which will provide key information on the characteristics of the virus strains in circulation in the country and inform vaccine choices acquisition and deployment mechanisms.
The Minister also stated that government is closely following the global developments around the new virus strains (variants) and reduced efficacy on the vaccines like the case of the Oxford/Astra Zeneca vaccine in South Africa.

And giving an update on the COVID-19 situation, Dr. Chanda said the has in the last 24 hours recorded One Thousand and Thirty-Seven (1,037) new cases out of 6,173 tests conducted.
This brings the cumulative number of confirmed cases recorded to date to 64,610.

He also announced that Twelve (12) new deaths were reported from Copperbelt (5), Lusaka (5), Central (1), and Northern (1) provinces.

The cumulative number of COVID-19 related deaths recorded to date now stands at 881, classified as 443 COVID deaths and 438 COVID-19 associated deaths.
Meanwhile, the country recorded an additional 1,990 discharges from both home management and COVID-19 isolation facilities, bringing the cumulative number of recoveries to 58,319.

22 COMMENTS

  1. The ECL and PF Govt needs to lead by example and avoid all Covid-19 Superspreader events. Funerals,Church Activities,Weddings, Political Rallies/Working Visits are Covid 19 Superspreaders and to either be stopped or regulated to curb the Spread of this disease. Govt should walk the talk and stop double standards in implementing Covid-19 Guidelines. The Govt should stop weaponising Covid-19 to gain Political Advantage during the 2021 Election Season. The Govt should realise that Covid-19 doesn’t discriminate and Politicians are not immune from this deadly disease. The writing is on the wall.

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  2. How can GRZ be concerned about Covid spread yet it is the same ruling party holding political events here and there? That’s a huge reality disconnect.

  3. Such headlines are not helpful to anyone at all. We’re all concerned about the widespread of this obstinate virus since the first case was recorded in Zambia. How many times do you want to alarm people unnecessarily? Government should inspire confidence instead of showing signs of helplessness,. Already, we are told people are reluctant to seek medical attention because of the expired drug scandal. This is not a time to share your worries, it’s a time to prove that you’re still capable of handling the situation professionally if people should rebuild their trust in health authorities again.

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  4. The headline should be ”ZAMBIANS CONCERNED GOVERNMENT IS THE BIGGEST PROBLEM NOW BECAUSE IT IS THE SUPERSPREADER OF COVID19 IN THE COMMUNITY”

  5. In the uk and in many countries there were are and were shutdowns and curfews and all this other nonsense. Yet there is virus there

    In zed no curfew no lockdown nothing and virus also very little.

    According to the mad scientists we should have died long time ago. As According to them this virus is contagious so by now each one of us should have had it and majority of us should have died.

    This has not happened and infact thouse countries that implemented strict measures had the most virus and countries like zambia and Tanzania which have relied on the Almighty we have insignificant virus.

    You are a moron with no trust in the Almighty. Your only trust is in that mask and even after wearing it you getting the virus LOL

  6. We in government are working day and night to keep covid contained and yet we have some irresponsible people not complying with covid rules. So if I find you in public breaking rules I will just punch you and baptise you with some dirty slaps. You can run to the police if you want. If the police are wise they will also scatter your face with some nice dirty slaps

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  7. Well done Dr Chanda. At last there is a reasoned approach to the problem. Keep it up Sir. At last we have a working minister instead of one playing to look and sound good before cameras.

  8. As long Govt doesn’t lead by example Covid-19 will continue to spread. Two weeks ago it was shameful to see President Lungu attending a Funeral without wearing a Mask and not practising Social Distancing. So often we have seen the President addressing Rallies during working visits in various Provinces. If the Govt is serious about curbing the Spread of the Covid-19 Pandemic it must stop or regulate these Superspreader activities. The Govt is currently maintaining double standards in implementing Covid-19 Guidelines. Unfortunately Covid-19 doesn’t discriminate so these Politicians and attendees defying the Covid-19 Guidelines will perish. The Govt must realise that Ministers,MPs,Drs, Priests etc are not immune from this disease.

  9. Lusambo does not comply with any COVID-19 precaution and has now because a super spreader of the disease .This cluelsess government should not shift the blame.They are responsible for the upswing in the CIVID-19 numbers

  10. Lusambo does not comply with any COVID-19 precautions and has now became a super spreader of the deadly disease .This cluelsess government should not shift the blame on poor Zambians .They are responsible for the upswing in the CIVID-19 numbers .The Shinde stadium event is one such examples where the world saw Lusambo without a mask with his rubbish musicians .

  11. The virus in Zambia is serious.You are lucky none of your friends,relatives or contacts haven’t so far got it.Ive lost an uncle and a few people.
    Please don’t live denial..

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  12. Safety kuisunga wemwina in this era of covid-19 no one is to blame but just need to be extra careful. So it was during the time of Noah and Sodoma and Gomorah so it is even today.Those with eyes open your eyes and be vigilant.

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