COVID-19 pandemic in Zambia

As of 17 March, the government had shut all educational institutions and put in place some restrictions on foreign travel.[10] Zambia reported its first 2 cases of COVID-19 in Lusaka on 18 March. The patients were a couple that had travelled to France on holiday.[11] A third case was recorded on 22 March. The patient was a man who had travelled to Pakistan.[12] On 25 March, President Edgar Lungu confirmed a total of 12 cases during a live national address.[13]

During March, 36 persons tested positive. All 36 cases remained active at the end of the month.[14]

Zambia recorded its first death on 2 April.[15] In total during the month, 70 persons tested positive and three died. The number of confirmed cases since the start of the outbreak reached 106. The number of active cases at the end of the month was 48 (an increase by 33% from March).[16]

By 5 May, the number of COVID-19 deaths had risen to four.[17]

As of 22 May, Zambia recorded 920 COVID-19 positive cases against 20,011 people screened and tested. The president Edgar Lungu confirmed that the country had recorded 7 deaths and a total number of 336 recoveries.[18][19]

On 23 May, Information Minister Dora Siliya tested positive for COVID-19.[20]

By 27 May, Zambia had recorded a total of 137 new cases in the previous five days, bringing the total to 1,057. Secretary to the Cabinet in Zambia, Dr. Simon Miti, confirmed that the country had recorded 443 recoveries over the previous five days bringing the total to 779. The recorded deaths remained at 7 and the active cases were at 271.[21]

On June 23, the country approved an eight billion kwacha (US$439 million) economic stimulus package through a COVID-19 bond.[22]

In June there were 437 confirmed cases, bringing the total number of confirmed cases since the start of the outbreak to 1,594. The death toll rose to 24. By the end of the month there were 241 active cases, a decrease by 11% from the end of May.[23]

There were 4,369 new cases in July, raising the total number of confirmed cases to 5,963. The death toll rose by 127 to 151. The total number of recovered patients reached 3,803. There were 2,009 active cases at the end of the month.[24]

On 19 August, the Vice President of Zambia, Inonge Wina tested positive for COVID-19.[25] The number of confirmed cases more than doubled on August, to 12,097. The death toll increased to 288. There were 340 active cases at the end of the month.[26]

There were 2,618 new cases in September, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 14,715. The death toll rose to 332. The number of recovered patients increased to 13,937, leaving 446 active cases at the end of the month.[27]

There were 1,417 new cases in October, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 16,432. The death toll rose to 349. The number of recovered patients increased to 15,680, leaving 403 active cases at the end of the month.[28]

There were 1,215 new cases in November, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 17,647. The death toll rose to 357. The number of recovered patients increased to 16,998, leaving 292 active cases at the end of the month.[29]

The 501.V2 variant was detected in Zambia on 30 December.[30] There were 3,078 new cases in December, raising the total number of confirmed cases to 20,725. The death toll rose to 388. The number of recovered patients increased to 18,660, leaving 1,677 active cases at the end of the month.[31]

There were 33,492 new cases in January, raising the total number of confirmed cases to 54,217. The death toll nearly doubled to 763. The number of recovered patients increased to 48 thousand, leaving 5,454 active cases at the end of the month.[32]