Zambia on Thursday reported the largest single-day new COVID-19 cases as the second wave of the pandemic takes its toll on the southern African nation.

The country reported 1,700 new cases in the last 24 hours, bringing the cumulative cases to 32,800, according to figures released by the health ministry.

The cases were picked from 9,038 tests done during the period, bringing the total tests since the pandemic broke out in the country last March to 739,188.

About 936 patients were discharged during the same period, bringing the total recoveries to 22,504 while five people died, bringing the total deaths to 514.

About 283 patients are currently hospitalized in various health facilities while 9,499 patients were being managed from homes, bringing the total active cases to 9,782.