Zambia Records Two Coronavirus cases
By Sharon Kunda
ZAMBIA has confirmed its first two cases of coronavirus.
Health Minister Chitalu Chilufya has announced during a media briefing that the case involves a couple that travelled to France with their two children.
Dr. Chilufya said the country’s surveillance system detected that the couple transited through a country where COVID-19 is on high alert.
He said, the couple which returned to Zambia on March 15, was placed under self-quarantine, after which one member developed fever and flu.
Dr. Chilufya said laboratory results later confirmed that the couple tested positive for COVID-19 and have since been isolated in a designated facility while their two children are on self-quarantine.
He pointed out that only the man showed symptoms while the woman was not showing any signs.
Dr. Chilufya said the man is no longer showing the symptoms after admission as the flu and fever have cleared and that he is on firm track to recovery.
He assured the country that there is no need for panic and that COVID-19 only carries mortality rate of 2 percent globally.
Dr. Chilufya also called on the public to adhere to preventive measures by observing strict hygiene and avoid unnecessary travel and public gatherings.
And Minister of Information and Broadcasting Service, Dora Siliya said that everyone must heed the call to cancelling meeting to avoid the spread of COVID 19.
Ms Siliya said that there is need to restrict meeting in view of the two Statutory Instruments that were issued by the Minister of Health a few days ago.
She called on Zambians to adhere to high hygiene levels.