GOVT SECURES OVER $ 47 MILLION FOR COVID RESPONSE

GOVERNMENT has secured over US$ 47 million from the Global Fund for COVID-19 response. Minister of Health minister, Jonas Chanda said the United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) has also dedicated $ 20 million for the COVID-19 response. Dr Chanda also disclosed that the country is expecting 10 thousand GeneXpert cartridges and over 4000 Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDTs) kits. Dr Chanda said 496 people have been vaccinated in Lusaka in the last 24 hours, bringing the cumulative total of vaccinated people to 706 of which 26 percent are healthcare workers. He said he was happy with the level of interest of the public to get vaccinated further stating that the acquisition and deployment of more vaccines is in the process to ensure all eligible people get vaccinated.  Dr Chanda said the targeted population under the vaccines available include Healthcare workers and other frontline workers performing core societal functions such as teachers, journalists, security, immigration and the defence as well the elderly with underlying conditions. Dr Chanda has also announced that the country has recorded 94 new cases of COVID-19 out of 6,330 tests conducted, bringing the cumulative number of confirmed cases recorded to 90,884. He said one death has been recorded, bringing the cumulative number of COVID-19 related deaths recorded to 1,234. Meanwhile, Former Republican President Rupiah Banda