LUSAKA, Zambia

A cholera outbreak in Zambia forced authorities to defer the reopening of schools by another three weeks, the education minister said Thursday.

“All public and private early childhood, primary and secondary schools remain closed for a further three weeks after the official opening date of January 8, 2024. This means that schools will only reopen on Monday, January 29,” Douglas Syakalima told reporters in the capital, Lusaka.

On Thursday, the country reported a daily record of 23 deaths and 342 cholera cases, which brought the cumulative toll since last October to 150 deaths and 4,097 cases.

Health Minister Sylvia Masebo said that the 60,000-seater National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka has now been designated as a treatment center for cholera to ease the pressure on health facilities.

“We continue sensitizing our citizens not to buy food from unsafe locations and to observe the highest level of hygiene so that together we can curb the spread of cholera,” Masebo said after conducting a mass sensitization roadshow in Lusaka on Thursday.

Last week, the country has also banned vending on the streets.