The Zambian government on Friday warned the country is witnessing a rise in daily COVID-19 cases in recent days and that could signal the start of a third wave, reported CGTN Africa.
Zambia has begun reporting an increase in daily cases in recent days after seeing a dip in recent months. The country reported 166 new cases in the last 24 hours increasing the daily positivity rate to 2.6 percent from 1.5 percent recorded the previous day.
“This evolution is very concerning as this may signify the beginning of a third wave,” said Kennedy Malama, Permanent Secretary in Charge of Technical Services in the Zambian Health Ministry.
He said the government was concerned that the recent spike in the number of COVId-19 cases was being driven by the cold weather, laxity in adhering to public health measures, and the emerging campaign activities ahead of the August 12 general elections.
Malama said the variants of concern that have been recently detected in the country add further risk to the health security of the people. He went on to urge Zambian citizens to adhere to strict prescribed health preventive measures in order to avert the sudden upsurge.
Notably, Zambia’s cumulative cases currently stand at 92,920 while total recoveries stand at 91,019 following 64 new discharges in the last 24 hours.
Meanwhile, on Friday, the Zambian government reintroduced the COVID-19 test on arrival and the mandatory 14-day quarantine for travelers from 15 countries including South Africa, Tanzania, Kenya, Ethiopia, Egypt, Tunisia, India, Iran, Turkey, France, Germany, Russia, Italy, Brazil, and Argentina.
According to a joint statement released by the Health Ministry and Public Health Institute in Lusaka, the list would be reviewed and updated regularly.
“In line with SADC [Southern African Development Community] protocols, truck drivers carrying essential goods will be allowed to transit through Zambia without adhering to the 14-day quarantine requirement but must possess a valid SARS CoV2 negative certificate and adhere to COVID-19 prevention guidelines,” read the statement.
Zambia has to-date recorded 92,920 COVID-19 cases since March of last year.
