COVID-19 national survey launched

KALOBWE BWALYA writes@SunZambianA COVID-19 National Prevalence Survey has been launched targeting a population of 19,000 people in 10 provinces.Additionally, Government has commissioned the Zambia National Public Health Institute (ZNPHI) testing laboratory to boost the county’s testing capacity for Covid-19Health Minister Chitalu Chilufya, said the laboratory would increase the number of Covid-19 tests conducted by more than 3,000 and would address the backlog which accumulated in the past weeks.Dr Chilufya said the tests on the respondents would involve nasal swabs and blood tests. He was speaking during the routine update on Covid-19 in Lusaka recently.Dr Chilufya said Government would continue improving laboratory services through upgrading laboratory facilities to required standards.He said Government would also employ more biomedical practitioners to improve laboratory services.The minister noted that in the last two years,, Government employed over 523 biomedical practitioners and that there was need to increase the number.Dr Chilufya said Government has since started drafting a laboratory policy to address some of the challenges faced in the provision of laboratory services.Meanwhile, Dr Chilufya noted that the country has continued recording a reduction in the number of Covid- 19 patients in health facilities.And ZNPHI director Victor Mukonka said the Covid-19 nationwide prevalence survey would inform health authorities the magnitude of the pandemic in the country.Professor Mukonka said the survey would also guide the health authorities on specific interventions to put in place to cut the spread of the pandemic.Director for Infections Diseases Dr Lloyd Mulenga said it was encouraging to see a reduced number of positive cases. The Sun