PRESS BRIEFING BY THE MINISTER OF HEALTH, HONOURABLE DR. CHILUFYA CHITALU ON MEASURES TAKEN BY ZAMBIA TO CONTROL THE SPREAD OF CORONAVIRUS

LUSAKA – Tuesday, 17^th March, 2020- Members of the Press, countrymen and women, ladies and gentlemen; Thank you for spending your precious time to come and get updated on a disease of international public health concern, the Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19). The ongoing COVID-19 global outbreak has now spread to at-least 162 countries and territories around the world. In addition one international conveyance, the Diamond Princess, a Japanese cruise ship was affected. The risk of virus spread continues to be Very High globally. As of today 17th March 2020 06:00AM SAT, 181,335 cases and 7,130 deaths have been recorded globally; with a daily increase of over 10,000. Of recent concern to us is the rate of spread in Africa. Since the first case in February 2020, the numbers have escalated to 322 cases and 10 deaths, according to reports by 17th March 2020 06:00AM SAT. Zambia has not yet confirmed any case of COVID-19 but continues to pitch very high, public health security for the country. The Government of the Republic of Zambia under the leadership of His Excellency Dr Edgar Chagwa Lungu has escalated the level of preparedness and put in place intense measures to respond to any event of coronavirus disease: Read More