In the past 24 hours, Malawi has registered 213 new COVID-19 cases, 518 new recoveries, eight new deaths. Of the new cases 211 of the new cases are locally transmitted: 70 from Lilongwe, 48 in Blantyre, 19 from Mzuzu, 13 from Mangochi, nine each from Neno and Ntcheu, seven from Mulanje, four each from Balaka, Karonga, Kasungu, Nkhata Bay, and Thyolo, three each from Dowa and Mzimba South, two each from Chiradzulu and Mchinji, and one each from Dedza, Nsanje, Ntchisi, Phalombe, Rumphi, and Salima Districts while two of the new cases are imported, these are new arrivals at Dzaleka Refugee Camp in Dowa District. In the past 24 hours, eight new COVID-19 deaths have been registered: four from Blantyre, two from Mchinji, and one each from Kasungu and Mulanje Districts. To the bereaved families, may you find peace, hope and love during these difficult times. May the souls of the departed rest in peace.
Cumulatively, Malawi has recorded 29,634 cases including 976 deaths (Case Fatality Rate is at 3.3%). Of these cases, 2,022 are imported infections and 27,612 are locally transmitted. Cumulatively, 15,321 cases have now recovered, 134 were lost to follow-up, and 76 are still being investigated to ascertain their outcome. This brings the total number of active cases to 13,127. In the past 24 hours, 17 cases were hospitalised while 13 were discharged. Currently, a total of 141 active cases are hospitalised: 36 in Lilongwe, 33 in Blantyre, 20 in Mzimba North, ten in Thyolo, six each in Zomba and Karonga, four each from Ntcheu and Mulanje, three each from Mchinji, Salima, and Chiradzulu, two each in Dowa, Chitipa, and Rumphi, and one each in Nkhata Bay, Mzimba South, Mangochi, Machinga, Kasungu, Chikwawa, and Nsanje Districts. On testing, in the past 24 hours, 1,316 COVID-19 tests were conducted. Of these, 529 tests were through SARS-COV-2 Antigen Rapid Diagnostic test while the rest were through RT-PCR. The positive cases out of the total translates to a positivity rate of 16.2%. Cumulatively, 174,787 tests have been conducted in the country so far.
I have noted with regret that we are still observing unfortunate incidences such as violence and aggression towards our health workers and other frontline staff. In the recent incident in Machinga, regrettably the Ambulance driver was assaulted and the Ambulance was destroyed. Few more incidences have been reported in other areas across the country. Most of these incidences originate from fake and misinformation that are being circulated by some misguided individuals on COVID-19. This is very sad and disheartening as our health workers and frontline staff are working tirelessly to save lives. What everyone has to know and accept is that we have COVID-19 pandemic in our country and the second wave we are experiencing increased community transmission and that our response pillars are working hard to stop the spread. I would like to request the public to desist from all sorts of violence and it is my plea to my fellow politicians at all levels, the traditional as well as faith leaders to ensure that people are given correct information on COVID 19. I urge the police to use quickly investigate these incidents and see that all misguided individuals perpetrating these violent acts are brought to book.
In order to ensure that the transmission is stopped there is need for all of us to accept the results of the COVID-19 testing and adhere to the advice from the health workers. The denial that is currently being portrayed by some sections of the society will only make the situation worse. We may lose a lot of people who can be saved if we work in unity. I would like to appreciate all health workers and frontline staff on the good work that they are doing in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic in our country. So far, our health workers have shown high level of dedication and hard work in the management of the COVID-19 patients, contact tracing, testing, risk communication and community engagement and in ensuring that logistics and supplies are available at all levels. I would like to request to request that this hard working spirit should continue till we defeat this pandemic.
Watch your distance! Wash your hands! Wear your mask! Seek for care early upon development of symptoms of COVID-19. Call toll free 929.
Hon. Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda, MP
MINISTER OF HEALTH
CO-CHAIRPERSON – PRESIDENTIAL TASKFORCE