Zambia's COVID-19 isolation facilities, which were overwhelmed as cases surged during the third wave of the virus have started experiencing some relief as cases and hospitalizations have started reducing, a government official said on Monday.

Kennedy Malama, Permanent Secretary in charge of Technical Services in the Ministry of Health said the country has continued to observe a general downward trend in new cases and hospitalizations.

"This situation has given some relief in our hospitals both in public and private and we are confident this will continue in coming weeks," he said.

He however expressed concern that deaths related to COVID-19 have remained high and attributed this to the late seeking of medical care, self-prescription, and self-medication.

In the past 24 hours, 45 people died due to COVID-19 related complications, bringing the total deaths to 2,867, while the cumulative cases hit 176,742 following 1,013 new cases in the past 24 hours.

A total of 1,889 patients were discharged during the period bringing the total recoveries to 162,239.