HEALTH Minister Dr Jonas Chanda says the country has recorded 242 new COVID-19 cases and five deaths.

And Dr Chanda says the continued laxity in compliance to public health measures in communities remains worrisome as there is maximum occupancy at the intensive care units.

In a statement, Tuesday, Dr Chanda said of the positive samples, 79 per cent were collected within the last 24-72 hours while 21 percent were older than 72hours.

“We recorded 242 new cases out of 3,665 tests conducted (representing 6.6 percent positivity). Of the positive samples, 79 percent were collected within the last 24-72hours while 21 percent were older than 72hours. The new cases reported by province are as follows: 68 Luapula, 66 Lusaka, 60 Copperbelt, 13 Eastern. This brings the cumulative number of confirmed cases recorded to date to 82,897. Regrettably, we recorded five new deaths. From Lusaka two, Copperbelt one, Muchinga one, and Northern one. The cumulative number of COVID-19 related deaths recorded to date now stands at 1,137. The deaths are classified as 627 COVID deaths and 510 COVID-19 associated deaths,” read the statement in part.

“We recorded a combined total of 441 recoveries from both the COVID-19 isolation facilities and home management, bringing the cumulative number of recoveries to 79,162 (representing 95 percent). We currently have 2,598 active cases, of whom 2,417 (representing 93 percent) are under community management and 181 ( representing seven percent) are admitted to our COVID-19 isolation facilities. Among those admitted, 128 ( representing 71 per cent) are on Oxygen therapy and 32 (representing 18 percent) are in critical condition.”

He Commended the women for showing adherence towards the directive for virtual celebrations of International Women’s Day on Monday.

“Additionally, we wish to express our gratitude to all members of the public and the great women of Zambia who celebrated the International Women’s Day responsibly. The women and their supporters overwhelmingly showed adherence towards our directive for virtual celebrations of International Women’s Day yesterday, and we remain confident that we will have similar adherence to the public health guidance when we commemorate Youth Day this Friday, 12th March, 2021,” he said.

Dr Chanda said the continued laxity in compliance to public health measures in communities remained worrisome as there was maximum occupancy at the intensive care units.

“The analysis of our linear trend graph continues to show a marked downward trend, however we are yet to flatten the curve. The continued laxity in compliance to public health measures in our communities remains worrisome as we remain at maximum occupancy of our intensive care units. In our efforts to ensure intensified support to isolation facilities and standardised quality of care throughout the country, we have continued with our training and mentorship programme. This week, the Levy Isolation facility is hosting a team of clinicians and nurses from Muchinga province. We are equally implementing and monitoring the quality and assurance in our diagnostic facilities to ensure the reliability and accuracy of test results which culminates in appropriate patient care,” Dr Chanda said.

Meanwhile, Dr Chanda said the ministry in collaboration with the Ministry of Education would disseminate consolidated guidelines for schools.

“The Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Ministry of Education is on track for the scheduled dissemination of the consolidated guidelines for schools this week. The dissemination of the guidelines will be launched virtually with various stakeholders in attendance,” stated Chanda.