Over 2,000 COVID-19 Cases Recorded In The Past 24hrs

It has been confirmed that 2,146 new COVID-19 cases were picked up over the past 24 hours as the third wave takes its toll on the country.

Out of 14,033 tests carried out, over 6% came back with a positive result, adding further strain to isolation and hospital facilities which the government is struggling to offer. This is the highest recorded number of daily cases which the country has experienced so far.

Kennedy Malama, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health in charge of Technical Services, has said that the virus has now reached every corner of the country as rural and remote districts start to admit COVID-19 patients to local health facilities.

The government’s delayed reaction to the pandemic, and a subsequent exponential rise in case numbers, has led to the United Arab Emirates banning passengers from the country in a bid to contain the spread of the virus in the middle east.

The World Health Organisation’s (WHO) weekly epidemiological report has also picked up on the rising cases within the country, reporting a 191% increase in the number of COVID-19 positive tests recorded.

WHO regional director for Africa Dr Matshidiso Moeti commented that a rise in cases is a result of poor vaccination in affected countries.

“It’s crucial that we swiftly get vaccines into the arms of Africans at risk of falling seriously ill and dying of Covid-19,” he said.

The governments consistent delays in vaccine rollout led to many Zambians becoming distrustful of the vaccine, worsening the issue further.