Covid claims more lives as death toll reaches 128

THE death toll related to Covid-19 has continued to rise with the country recording 128 deaths in total as of yesterday.

Minister of Health Chitalu Chilufya said out of 128 deaths, 28 were confirmed Covid-19 deaths, 92 were related, while eight were still being reviewed.

Updating the nation on the pandemic in Lusaka yesterday, Dr Chilufya also said Zambia had in the last 24 hours recorded 178 new Covid-19 positive cases out of 959 tests conducted.

Dr Chilufya said 61 patients were currently on treatment, with 17 on oxygen while five were in critical condition.

The Minister said with the 178 new cases the cumulative number stood at 3326.

Dr Chilufya also announced that over 120 patients were discharged bringing the number of recoveries to 1, 620 discharges.

He said the pandemic had taken a twist further urging the public to strictly adhere to the public health guidelines to prevent further spread of the pandemic.

Dr Chilufya said President Edgar Lungu has called for collective action by all to enable the country defeat the pandemic.

The Minister said the SI 21, 22 and 62 were still in effect and that the ministry would continue to work with the ministries of Home Affairs and Local Government to ensure that the public health guidelines were adhered to.

He warned that the country was likely to see a rise in the Covid-19 cases during the month of July and August because of the weather.