HEALTH Minister Dr Jonas Chanda says Zambia has in the last 24 hours recorded an all-time low of 183 patients in COVID-19 isolation facilities since the peak of the second wave.

In a statement, Monday, Dr Chanda stated that despite the low number, the majority of the patients, however, remained critically ill.

“We continue to record huge reductions in the number of case admissions, which stands at an all-time low of 183 today from the daily highs of up to 510 a day at the peak of the second wave in January, 2021. However, the majority of those admitted remain critically ill. This serves as a reflection of the circumstances in our communities and highlights the need to not let down our guard,” Dr Chanda said in a statement.

He added that the country recently received 24,000 antigen test kits from the Africa CDC to boost COVID-19 testing supplies.

“Additionally, we remain committed to ensuring commodity security for the response and continue to enhance our strategy for resource mobilisation. We recently received 24,000 antigen test kits from the Africa CDC to boost our testing supplies. We remain indebted to the Africa Union and the Africa CDC for the continued support in the COVID-19 response and all public health security matters,” he added.

Dr Chanda announced that the country had in the last 24 hours recorded 234 new COVID-19 cases out of 3,098 tests done.

“Countrymen and women, the COVID-19 situation update for the last 24 hours is as follows: We recorded 234 new cases out of 3,098 tests conducted (7.6 per cent positivity). The new cases reported by province are broken down as follows: 120, Lusaka; 44, Copperbelt; 33, Luapula; 23, Eastern; six, Northern; six, Southern and two North-Western. There were no cases reported from Central, Muchinga and Western provinces. This brings the cumulative number of confirmed cases recorded to-date to 82,655,” Dr Chanda stated.

He added that Zambia had also recorded eight deaths and 778 recoveries.

“On a sad note, we recorded eight new deaths from Lusaka, three, Copperbelt; two, Muchinga; two and North-Western, one. The cumulative number of COVID-19-related deaths recorded to-date now stands at 1,132. The deaths are classified as 624 COVID deaths and 508 COVID-19 associated deaths. We recorded a combined total of 778 recoveries from both the COVID-19 isolation facilities and home management, bringing the cumulative number of recoveries to 78,721 (95 per cent). We currently have 2,802 active cases of whom 2,619 (93 per cent) are under community management and 183 (seven per cent) are admitted to our COVID-19 isolation facilities. Among those admitted, 129 (70 per cent) are on oxygen therapy and 29 (16 per cent) are in critical condition,” stated Dr Chanda.