Minstry of Health ‘Still Determining’ Extent of Covid-19 Outbreak

Minister of Health Chitalu Chilufya has said that his Ministry is still determining the extent of the Covid-19 outbreak in Zambia, and that mass testing would continue to take place in Lusaka to help ascertain the severity of the pandemic. 

The news comes as four new cases were confirmed over the weekend, 3 of which are in Lusaka. 

On Sunday, Dr Chilufya said testing would be carried out in Lusaka’s Rhodespark district and the Madras area of Kamwala, as well as in other regions. The minister appealed to Lusaka residents to cooperate with medical officers who are carrying out the vital tests.

“This is a fight that we can win but requires collective responsibility, collective effort, and patriotism by ensuring that all directives which include staying at home, social distancing, and avoiding unnecessary travels are followed,” he said.

The minister also addressed concerns raised by the Resident Doctors Association of Zambia that the government is not providing adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) to health workers on the frontline of the pandemic. He said the government would be looking into the issue and engaging all sector players to ensure the issue could be resolved. 

He assured frontline health workers of the government’s commitment to providing PPE and other support, including the recruitment of more health personnel as promised by President Lungu.

So far none of the 3,400 additional health workers pledged by the president have reported for duty, while 9 medics have tested positive for the coronavirus while working in designated isolation units.