LUSAKA, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) -- Zambia health authorities on Monday reported 411 new COVID-19 cases over the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 21,993 in the southern African nation.
The Zambia Institute of Public Health, a government agency, also reported that the country recorded four new COVID-19 deaths, bringing the total deaths to 398.
The agency said that the new cases were picked from 5,190 tests done in the last 24 hours.
About 146 patients were discharged during the same period from various health facilities, bringing the total recoveries to 19,229.
It also reported that some 2,366 of the total COVID-19 cases were active cases.
The government has confirmed a second wave of the pandemic which has resulted in a surge in new cases. The health ministry said the country has a new strain of coronavirus similar to the one reported in South Africa and parts of Europe which spreads faster.
On Sunday, the health ministry dispelled reports that Lusaka, the country's capital will be placed on a lockdown following rising cases being recorded in the city. Enditem
