Zambia Records Second Highest Number Of Covid-19 Cases Since Outbreak

On Tuesday Zambia recorded 450 new cases of Covid-19: the second highest figure since the start of the outbreak. 

The government has called for a change in approach to prevent the further spread of the virus.

The new cases are the result of 2,542 test carried out in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of cases to 5,002. So far 3,185 Zambians have recovered, while 142 have died in connection to the virus. 

Speaking at the latest Covid-19 update, Ministry of Health permanent secretary Dr Kennedy Malama revealed that the figures included Members of Parliament who have bene discharged form hospital, as well as 27 patients on breathing support and 2 considered to be in critical condition. 

Dr Malama also revealed that the percentage of positive test results had gone up from 3% in the early days of the pandemic, to 30% positive at last count. 

“We need to do things differently if we are going to stop the further spread of the virus and avert further deaths in our country,” he said.

However, Dr Malama has discouraged Zambians from using the controversial hyrdoxochloroquine malaria medication as a treatment for Covid-19, warning that it has not been proven effective agains the virus and might trigger other health complications.