BY ADRIAN MWANZA
ZAMBIA has recorded its first three cases of SARS-Cov-2 Omicron variant from samples from individuals who tested positive for COVID-19 in the last one week.
Minister of Health, Sylvia Masebo said the cases were detected through the genomic sequencing laboratory at the University of Zambia.
Ms Masebo said the three detected cases include two males who were fully vaccinated and have a history of international travel, and an out-patient female of COVID-19 but not yet vaccinated.
The Minister added that two cases were displaying mild flu like symptoms while one case was asymptomatic but that all are in isolation.
She noted that information on the symptoms of the new variant are still unclear but that there may be an increased risk of reinfection with Omicron as compared to other variants of concern.
She said the second was a man of Chibombo District with a history of recent international travel, also fully vaccinated against COVID-19, who was currently asymptomatic and self-isolating.
Ms Masebo said the third was a Lusaka woman who initially presented as an out-patient at one of our hospitals in Lusaka with mild ‘flu like’ symptoms and was treated for COVID-19.
She said the lady had no history of international travel and was unvaccinated for COVID-19.
Ms Masebo said it was not yet clear whether Omicron was more easily spread from person to person compared to other variants.
She said the severity of disease following infection with the Omicron variant was yet to be understood and that there was currently no information to suggest that symptoms associated with Omicron were different from those associated with other variants.
Ms Masebo however said preliminary evidence suggested there may be an increased risk of reinfection with Omicron as compared to other variants of concern.
She said on a positive note, the current vaccines remained effective against severe disease and death.
‘’While further studies are underway to understand the potential impact of this variant on existing counter measures, it is clear that vaccines continue to play a critical role in controlling the COVID-19 pandemic,’’ she said.
The Omicron has been reported in many countries especially in the Southern Africa region, leading to restrictions and travel bans.
The minister also announced that the National Heart Hospital will be the main COVID-19 Isolation Centre but other designated facilities will continue to manage patients in their jurisdiction.
‘’His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia Mr Hakainde Hichilema remains concerned over the well-being of everyone in the country and sends a personal request to all Zambians to take personal responsibility to protect themselves from COVID-19. He further urges all eligible persons to get vaccinated against COVID-19,’’ she said.
