STOP USING ANIMAL DRUGS TO TREAT COVID19, WARNS MINISTER

Health Minister Jonas Chanda has expressed concern over the continued use of animal drugs to treat or prevent covid-19 by members of the public. Dr Chanda says it is saddening that some people are using ivermctin a drug which in Zambia is registered and authorized for veterinary use only. In a statement he says people should never take animal drugs to treat or prevent covid19 because their safety and effectiveness have only been evaluated for animal species. Dr Chanda says self-medication carries numerous risks including incorrect self-diagnosis, potential adverse reactions, and dangerous drug interactions. Meanwhile Dr Chanda has disclosed that Zambia has recorded 1, 289 new covid19 cases out of 11, 862 tests done in the last 24 hours, bringing the cumulative total to 48, 911. He also says 16 more covid19 deaths were recorded in the last 24 hours bringing the total number of deaths 688. Dr. Chanda says the deaths were recorded from Copperbelt which had 5, Lusaka 5, Northern 2, central, Eastern, Muchinga and Western had 1 each. He also says the country continues to record encouraging recovery rates with approximately 84% of cases recovered. Dr. Chanda says currently 482 Covid19 patients are admitted to various health facilities around the country with 308 on oxygen therapy and 48 are in critical condition.