The Ministry of Health in Zambia has announced that the total recoveries of Covid-19 patients now stands at five after two more patients tested negative twice and were discharged from the quarantine centre.

Minister of Health Dr Chitalu Chilufya on Monday disclosed during a briefing that for the fourth straight day, the country had recorded no new cases of Covid-19.

"Two coronavirus patients were discharged on Saturday, one on Sunday and two more on Monday after testing negative twice. This leaves 33 patients in quarantine in Lusaka and Masaiti on the Copperbelt," said Chilufya. 

"And in the last 24 hours, 99 tests were conducted, which all came out negative for coronavirus.

"Of the 99 tests done, 72 were truck drivers and some were contacts of the man who died of Covid-19 last week.

"Out of the 6 450 high-risk cases who travelled to Zambia, we have 1 598 who have completed the 14-day quarantine. And out of the sensitive community surveillance system, we have managed to pick up 351 alerts and all these are being cleared as non-cases.

"We applaud the community for being alert and sensitive and calling upon our rapid response teams, who have engaged the suspects and ensured that they have been isolated and tested," said Chilufya.

Chilufya said that despite the results looking promising, Zambians must not relax in the fight against Covid-19.

"We need to ensure unity of purpose, we need to adhere to guidelines as announced in President Lungu’s address to the nation and we need to ensure civic responsibility.