Minister of Health, Sylvia Masebo, says one person has died in the last 24hrs and 13 others are admitted at the University Teaching Hospital and Levy Mwanawasa General Hospitals respectively, due to severe forms of Pneumonia caused by Influenza (FLU) and Corona Viruses.
Ms. Masebo says all the 13 patients are receiving oxygen as part of the management process, while one of them is in a critical condition.
She said this in the National Assembly this morning when she gave a Ministerial Statement on the state of the influenza and Covid-19 situation in the country.
Ms. Masebo has since appealed to the public to take seriously hygiene and respiratory etiquettes, to prevent the further spread of the Flu.
“If you are sick, stay home to stop the spread, if you are infected and in public wear a face mask and avoid close contacts,” guided Ms. Masebo.
Ms. Masebo also said there is currently no vaccines for the Flu outbreak.
She further appealed to the health practitioners to closely monitor patients that present with Flu symptoms.
Meanwhile, Ms. Masebo said there has been a slight increase in the weekly positivity rate of COVID-19, from 1.5% to 2.8%.
“Our most recent data indicates that out of 322 samples tested for COVID-19, nine (2.8%) were positive. When we look at our monthly trends, between May and June we tested 3,070 samples and of these 74 (2.4%) were positive,” said Ms. Masebo.
By Eva Hatontola
