ZAMBIA FACES COVID-19 PANDEMIC SECOND WAVE

Zambia has been hit with the coronavirus variant after recording a second wave of COVID19 with the cumulative total number now standing at 20, 462 cases. Zambia National Public Health Institute Director Victor Mukonka says the new variant will be more severe and may result in increased numbers of infections and deaths. Speaking during the Covid19 update Dr. Mukonka says the sharp rise and confirmation of the new variant in Zambia is a wakeup call for all Zambians to follow health guidelines. He says the public must avoid events that put them at risk or the country will suffer serious consequences when the health is overburdened. And speaking earlier Health Minister Chitalu Chilufya has explained that this also signifies the establishment of the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic in Zambia. Dr Chilufya has explained that numbers of new cases are going up across the whole country and a new age range for infections has been experienced with those affected being aged between 17 – 80 years. And Dr Chilufya says Zambia has confirmed 285 cases of covid-19 out of 9,227 tests, bringing the cumulative total to 20,462 recorded from 27 districts across the country. Dr Chilufya says Levy Mwanawasa Isolation Centre has 36 patients with 26 on oxygen support and 5 in critical condition. The University Teaching Hospital UTH Centre has 12 patients with 4 on oxygen support and 2 in a critical condition. Dr Chilufya says two pregnant women are also admitted after testing positive to the virus.