5,000 new covid-19 cases recorded

Zambia has for a third consecutive day recorded over 5,000 new covid-19 cases, bringing the total of cases to 15,791 in three days.

The country has recorded 5,081 new cases in the last 24 hours representing 32% positivity.

Giving a covid-19 update at a media briefing today, health minister Sylvia Masebo says 15,779 tests were conducted.

Ms Masebo says 4 covid-19 associated deaths have been recorded during the same period bringing the cumulative death toll to 3,734.

She adds that 83 new hospital admissions were recorded bringing the total number of admissions to 356 of which 138 are on oxygen therapy with 21 in critical condition.

Ms Masebo says there are currently 30,746 active cases.

And ministry of health director infectious diseases professor Lloyd Mulenga says 932 children have so far been vaccinated following the commencement of vaccination for children aged between 12 and 17.

Professor Mulenga has also revealed that 118,300 children have so far been infected with the coronavirus representing 4%.