Zambia has experienced a rise in COVID-19 cases following the recent cold season in the country, health authorities said on Monday.
Minister of Health Sylvia Masebo told a press briefing that about 3,070 tests were conducted between May and June, out of which 2.4 per cent tested positive.
An increase from the 1.5 per cent positivity rate for COVID-19 recorded in previous months.
The cases have been reported from six of the country’s 10 provinces, with Lusaka Province recording the highest number of cases, Masebo said.
The country recorded 4,770 COVID-19 cases between January and June this year.
Zambia has also experienced an increase in respiratory and influenza-like illnesses due to the cold and dry conditions, Masebo said.
He added that the ministry has activated the detection of viruses and other pathogens.
Zambia, officially the Republic of Zambia in southern Africa, is a landlocked country with rugged terrain and diverse wildlife, with many parks and safari areas. On its border with Zimbabwe is famed Victoria Falls – indigenously called Mosi-oa-Tunya, or “Smoke That Thunders” – plunging a misty 108m into narrow Batoka Gorge.
Spanning the Zambezi River just below the falls is Victoria Falls Bridge, a spectacular viewpoint.
Climate of Zambia
Although Zambia lies within the tropics, its climate is modified by the altitude of the country and is generally favourable to human settlement and comfort.
The marked seasonal pattern of precipitation is caused by the north and south movement of the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ), which shifts with the Sun.
In January the ITCZ is in its southernmost position, and the rainy season is at its peak; by June it has moved north, and the weather is dry. Summer rains reduce the high temperatures that might be expected at this time.
Xinhua
