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Zambia dismisses claims of new Covid-19 variant outbreak

16 Jun 2023 12:01pm
Roma Chilengi, the director general of the Zambia National Public Health Institute (ZNPHI), said the current surge in Covid-19 cases in the country is due to the existing Omicron variant and not a new strain. - Facebook
Roma Chilengi, the director general of the Zambia National Public Health Institute (ZNPHI), said the current surge in Covid-19 cases in the country is due to the existing Omicron variant and not a new strain. - Facebook
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LUSAKA, Zambia - Health authorities in Zambia on Thursday dismissed reports that there was an outbreak of a new mutated and more virulent Covid-19 variant in the country, reported Xinhua.

Roma Chilengi, the director general of the Zambia National Public Health Institute (ZNPHI), said the current surge in Covid-19 cases in the country is due to the existing Omicron variant and not a new strain.

He said the surge was being fuelled by the prevailing cold season as cold weather conditions tended to facilitate the transmission of respiratory virus, including Covid-19.

Chilengi urged citizens not to panic, saying there was no cause for alarm. He advised the public to adhere to recommended preventive measures, which were crucial in mitigating the risk of infection.

"The ZNPHI remains committed to safeguarding public health and continues to work tirelessly to control the spread of Covid-19 in Zambia," he said. - BERNAMA-XINHUA

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