Zambia confirms first 2 coronavirus cases

ANKARA (AA) - Zambia on Wednesday confirmed its first two cases of the coronavirus.

In a Facebook post, the country’s President Edgar Lungu confirmed that a Zambian couple has been tested positive of the epidemic after they visited France for 10 days with their two children, according to the Lusaka Times news website.

“Our surveillance system was able to detect that they transited through high-risk COVID-19 countries. The couple has been isolated and receiving treatment in Chilanga,” Lungu said.

“I want to salute our gallant men and women carrying out surveillance at all points of entry and our hardworking health personnel. I ask all members of the public not to panic. Report any suspected cases or symptoms to the nearest health facility,” he added.

The two cases of the coronavirus were reported a day after authorities announced shutting down all of the country’s educational institutes as of Friday, in a preventive measure against the pandemic.

Worldwide, out of over 206,318 confirmed cases, the death toll now exceeds 8,250, while more than 82,850 patients have recovered, according to Worldometer, a statistics website that compiles new case numbers.