Have patience, Mulenga tips contact sports disciplines

Ministry of Health has indicated that only 10 people tested positive for Covid-19 in Ndola.

Minister of Health Chitalu Chilufya said out of the 178 positive cases, four were from health care facilities in Ndola, five were from routine tests while one had contact with an infected person.

During yesterday’s Covid-19 update at the Ministry of Health, Chilufya said the death toll related to Covid-19 has continued to rise with the country recording 128 deaths.

The 178 Covid-19 positive cases out of 959 tests conducted, brings the cumulative number to 3, 326 positive cases in the country. “The new cases include 104 that were screened in our health care facilities, 97 in Lusaka and four in Ndola, one in Mufulira, one in Chililabombwe, and one in Chingola, 35 cases where contact to known cases and these include 19 from Lusaka, six from Lufwanyama, four from Mufulira, two from Mpongwe, two Chipata, one Ndola and one Kitwe.

“Twenty-nine were out of routine screening, 22 Lusaka, five from Ndola, one Mufulira, one Chililabombwe and six were health care workers, four from Kalulushi and two from Lusaka,” Chilufya said.

However, the statistics given by Chilufya dispute what Forest Rangers FC stated on Saturday that 28-members of the club had tested positive for Covid-19.

“In accordance with the health guidelines that have been put in place by the Ministry of Health and FAZ for football teams to take Covid-19 tests before the league resumes, Forest Rangers players and staff took the tests earlier this week,” Forest Rangers communications manager Christine Zulu.

“A total number of 58 took the test from which 30 were negative as earlier reported and 28 positive cases. The club is in touch with the District Health team for necessary precautions.” Rangers broke the news a few hours before they faced Zanaco in a league opener which was eventually cancelled by health officials, a move which shocked Zanaco FC who demanded to be given three points for the cancelled game.

Efforts to get a comment from Forest Rangers proved futile by press time.

MINISTER of Sports, Youth and Child Development Emmanuel Mulenga has urged sports federations that haven't resumed their games to remain patient.