Second COVID-19 Death As Govt Extends Measures

The Ministry of Health has today confirmed a second death relating to the global COVID-19 pandemic.

The news came after an announcement by Government yesterday that measures introduced to halt the spread of the disease would be extended by another two weeks despite the fact that no new cases of the virus had been recorded in the week.

According to the Ministry the deceased is a 58-year old male from Kafue with hypertension. He was transferred to University Teaching Hospital Intensive Care Unit following a deterioration in his condition.

“In view of the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak, there was a high index of suspicion by the health team, who decided to investigate the patient for COVID-19. Samples were collected for testing. The health team provided specialist care including placing him under ventilation on a life support machine until he passed away on 8th April 2020. An autopsy was conducted and postmortem samples collected prior to and after his death tested positive to COVID-19.

We have instituted comprehensive investigations into this matter which includes contact tracing and testing of all health facility personnel who were in contact with him at Kafue District Hospital and UTH. They were all sent on home quarantine yesterday. Another rapid response team is following up the deceased patient’s contacts including family and friends today,” Minister of Health Dr Chitalu Chilufya has stated.

The Minister confirmed that no new positive COVID-19 cases have been recorded in the past 24 hours, with 22 tests conducted.

“All those abrogating the quarantine measures or not picking calls from the health authorities will be sought and taken into mandatory institutionalised quarantine” the Minister warned.