Zambia’s information minister contracts COVID-19

By Hassan Isilow

JOHANNESBURG (AA) - Zambia’s information minister has tested positive for the novel coronavirus, she said in a video posted on Twitter late Saturday.

“I regret to announce that even after taking all precautions as much as possible, I did test positive for COVID-19,” said Dora Siliya, who has been actively involved in risk communication in the fight against COVID-19 in the East African country.

Siliya said she is asymptomatic and does not feel ill at the moment but has gone into self-isolation.

“I have since alerted the Ministry of Health and I have given them all my contacts especially in the last 10 days,” she said, urging her contacts to remain calm and cooperate with health professionals.

Matshidiso Moeti, the World Health Organization (WHO) regional head for Africa, praised Siliya for being open and sharing important information on COVID-19 risk and prevention measures.

“Such candor is vital to fighting stigma around the virus. I wish you a speedy recovery,” Moeti wrote on Twitter Sunday.

The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Zambia is 920, and seven deaths have been reported, while 336 people have recovered.