15 MPs Test Positive For COVID-19

The Ministry of Health has today confirmed that 15 Members of Parliament and 11 staff have tested positive for COVID-19.

MPs were tested and parliament adjourned following the death of MP Rogers Mwewa from the virus.

Official figures also recorded 154 new cases of COVID-19 from 835 tests in the last 24 hours, taking the cumulative total up to 3,856. A further two deaths were recorded as one of the critical patients in Levy Mwanawasa COVID Isolation Centre died. The deceased is reported as having had co-morbidity with hypertension. The second death was record in the community Lusaka. The total number of deaths in the country now stands at 136.

Recoveries now total 1,941, with 253 patients discharged. 16 are on oxygen support, two of which are in a critical condition. 

Earlier this week Health Minister Dr Chitalu Chilufya warned that Zambia could face up to 1,000 deaths from the coronavirus per day, if prevention guidelines are not followed. 

Dr Chilufya said funerals, kitchen parties, church meetings and other social gatherings are the main drivers of the pandemic in Zambia.

Speaking in a ministerial statement shortly before parliament was adjourned, Dr Chilufya warned that - based on epidemiological models - Zambia’s Covid-19 outbreak would peak by August.

The health minister said the anticipated spike in cases and deaths would partly be due to a change in the weather as well as the possibility that the virus might mutate.

He cautioned that Zambia’s health system risks being overwhelmed by the disease and thus it is essential that citizens avoid large crowds and wear masks at all times in public. 

Commenting on the progress of the virus on Friday Dr Chilufya stated, “It is disheartening and worrying to note that some members of the public have continued to patronize drinking spots and disregard wearing of masks in public despite the escalated status of the outbreak.” 

“The public is reminded that Statutory Instruments 21, 22 and 62 are still active and anyone breaching the public health regulation, thereby putting themselves and others at risk shall be brought to book,” he continued.