Zambia advised to prepare for COVID-19 fourth wave

LUSAKA, Nov. 26 — Zambia should strengthen measures against the COVID-19 pandemic following reports of a new coronavirus variant in some countries in the region, a health body said Friday.
There have been reports of a new variant known as B.1.1.529 in some countries in the southern African region which experts say is the worst seen so far.
Quince Mwabu, director-general of the Medical for Quality Healthcare Services, said the government should not allow complacency on preventive measures against the COVID-19 virus.
He said the health officials should be on high alert to prevent a spike especially during the forthcoming festival season as experienced in the country have shown that an increase in cases and variants have been associated with the influx of inbound travelers and passengers. He expressed concern that the rate of vaccination in the country has remained low, noting this could have negative implications in fighting the pandemic.
“However, at the current rate of the response across the country, we are likely going to encounter a fourth wave of COVID-19 pandemic in December 2021,” he said in a release.
According to him, without having more of the country’s population vaccinated, the country will be at risk of contracting the dreaded new variant which will be difficult to contain.  (Xinhua)