The number of COVID-19 cases has jumped from 199 to 320 countrywide in the last 24 hours, with Lusaka recording the largest number, 134 new cases, and the countrywide number of cases translating into a 4.6% positivity rate which is more than double what it was last week.
Speaking during the routine COVID-19 update today, Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary Technical Services Dr. Kennedy Malama urged all Zambians not to ignore the role of super spreader events such as weddings, funerals, political rallies, and congregate settings such as places of worship and learning institutions.
“As a multisectoral Response to COVID-19, we are encouraged by the measures announced today by the Secretary to the Cabinet on the introduction of the revised work arrangements in the public service to curb the spread of COVID-19 effective 29th May 2021 for the next 30 days. We urge other institutions and sectors outside the public service to emulate this high Impact intervention,” he said.
“We continue calling upon our community leadership structures and influencers to promote behaviour change. In countries where we see the number of cases kept at a minimal, it has been shown that adherence to the five golden rules has played a key part, with up to 80% of cases averted by adhering to this simple guidance, ” Dr Malama said.
Dr. Malama said in the last 24 hours, 559,688 new cases were reported globally, an increase of over 24,000 compared to the previous day, with over 12,300 deaths recorded among the COVID-19 cases. The majority of the cases (52%) were reported from Asia with India accounting for 73%.
“Similarly, South America, Europe and North America saw an increase in their daily COVID 19 cases. Africa recorded 10,985 new cases, 42% of which were from South Africa. Other countries in Africa reporting high numbers of new cases include Tunisia, Egypt, Kenya, and Ethiopia.” Dr. Malama said.
“As previously stated based on our projections, we are now seeing an increase in the number of new daily COVID-19 cases being reported in our country, particularly from congregate settings including social gatherings, learning institutions, and workplaces.” he added
He further expressed concern with the high risk of COVID-19 transmission associated with Political campaigns and urged all political leaders at all levels to introspect and ensure that the super spreader activities do not further propel transmission of COVID-19, saying the multisectoral response’s engagement with all political parties at various levels would be heightened and urged them to be responsive.
“It is important to state that the reported variants of concern in our country are also going to have an impact on the evolution of the COVID-19 situation and we will continue with our routine genomic sequencing as part of the routine surveillance.” he said.
Meanwhile Dr. Malama stated that the increased number of cases has started putting pressure on the health sector and that it will keep mounting unless the public adheres to guidelines.
“At the peak of the second wave we saw over 500 cases requiring admission a situation which placed a lot of strain on our health care system. With the rise in cases and hospitalisations, we have started seeing the pressure will continue mounting unless we enhance adherence to public health guidelines.” Dr. Malama said.
JUST STOP WITH THIS FAKE NEWS. SOON YOU’LL BE IN OPPOSITION AND THIS WILL COME AGAINST YOU
Forget Globally concentrate on our cases.. the rest of world has recognised the seriousness of Covid, and handling it well
the problem lies here, where figures were suppressed at first now the panic sets in ??
where are are the tests kits coming from ?? 5,000 test in a day ?? i doubt you can do 500
Then you say people are not coming forward ?? why should they ?? they all think that if Lungu is scared, why should they !!!!
When one tries to explain he has already had his they dont believe … seeing is believing
i personally blame all this denial on the president he should be ashamed
Tell that to HH and ECL.
Now June is around approaching August the corner ..you will see how figures will jump as PF begin to cook them.
The upnd are saying that they won’t follow presidential directive to not hold rallies. So please remember that any deaths will be on the hands of hh and his tribal stubborn supporters. We have told our police to use whatever force they need to sort these evil thugs out
Zambians please do not fall for this PF buffoonery. All this is leading to a complete ban of gatherings. They do not want you to campaign. This is PF at work. Where was the Ministry of Health when Lungu was traveling all over the country pretending to be checking up on ‘nothing’? The man was campaigning. It is the season to campaign. Go out and do your thing. Lungu only has as much power as you give him. Take it away.
Stop telling lies. The cases have dropped dramatically in gthe USA.
Meaningless numbers as always. Close those dirty markets and the minibuses. Rallies are outdoors and pose very little risk. People let’s not justify to the whole world how primitive we are!?
Who pays KZ, is he not a civil servant this! But a PF operative!
Trying so hard to stop UPND rallies because PF rallies are now poorly attended.
Under 5 insisted on a complete lockdown and sponsored an advert for over a month in a bid to cause consternation in the country but he is, together with his supporters crying foul. No different from Trump.
Plse Zambian fugitive leave us back home. Whatever happen economically socially or physically we shall be here, home, zed.
The least expected is the so called Zambians in diaspora advising us to ignore covid19 pandemic yet they ve witnessed the death of people only next to locust.
Please these politician are not letting go of their beloved kids to these rallies.
I now understand what the bible talks about the poor as meant to keep gathering n collecting for rich.
Plse worry of the so called Zambians in diaspora telling to ignore covid 19 guidelines
The health ministry has stopped giving a breakdown of the cases per city or province.
This is because the figures are cooked up. The doctors in Zambia need to investigate this closely.
Big public markets such as Soweto, City Market , City Bus Terminus etc. are full of people and have been operating normally throughout the second wave in December 2020. The cases even declined drastically in January 2021.
So where are these new “phantom” covid cases coming from?