By OLIVER SAMBOKO
THE country has continued recording zero new confirmed COVID 19 cases in the last two days, Minister of Health Chitalu Chilufya disclosed at a press briefing yesterday.
Dr Chilufya also disclosed that the first two individuals who had tested positive to the virus and admitted at one of the isolation Centre have been discharged after testing negative to COVID 19.
Updating the nation at Ndeke House, Dr Chilufya said that cumulatively the cases now stand at 36 with 34 individuals admitted at six isolation Centres in Lusaka while the remaining two are admitted in Masaiti on the Copperbelt under observation.
He said all the 53 tests that were carried in the last 24 hours by the Ministry of Health tested negative and added that surveillance has been heightened to ensure early detection and isolation in order to stop new cases in the country.
“We had 53 tests and all of them tested negative. Going forward we are heightening surveillance so as to ensure early detection and isolation in order to stop new cases,” he said.
Dr Chilufya also disclosed that 1,526 people who underwent mandatory quarantine have successfully completed their isolation and have been released.
He advised the public to avoid unnecessary travels and to exercise social distancing and avoid overcrowding public places like markets and bus stations.
“The country should continue acting in solidarity and ensure that our neighbors and our family are safe from COVID-19, let us avoid mass gatherings, let us wear masks and in solidarity we can effectively address this pandemic,” he said. And Dr Chilufya said following presidential decree to recruit more health workers, the ministry of Health had started the process of recruitment but however, urged job seekers not to physically cloud the Ministry but instead utilize electronic means to apply for placing.
He assured the applicants of fairness and that there will be no bureaucracy in the process to ensure the directive is expedited to enhance human resource in the fight against the pandemic.
Dr Chilufya expressed gratitude to cooperating partners and other well-wishers for their continued support to the Ministry of Health and assured that all the donations were going to be used prudently in the fight against the pandemic.
And Government has called on all stakeholders to work together and ensure that citizens are protected from Covid-19.
Transport Minister Mutotwe Kafwaya who also carried out a sensitisation operation at Lusaka Inter City Bus Terminus, said President Edgar Lungu was committed to ending the spreading of the pandemic.
He called on bus operators and drivers to work closely with Government in ensuring that citizens are protected from Covid-19.
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