In the past 24 hours Malawi has registered 129 new COVID-19 cases, 315 new recoveries,
one new death. Of the new cases, 125 are locally transmitted: 45 from Lilongwe, 34 from
Mzimba North, 27 from Blantyre, four from Kasungu, three from Mchinji, two each from
Dedza, Rumphi, and Mangochi, and one each from Balaka, Dowa, Ntcheu, Ntchisi, Phalombe, and Salima Districts while four are imported: three are new arrivals at Dzaleka Refugee Camp in Dowa District and one is from Mchinji District who was identified at Mwami border during the routine screening. One new death was registered in the past 24 hours and is from Kasungu District. To families that have lost their loved ones during this pandemic, may you find peace, hope and love during this difficult time. May the departed souls rest in peace.
On COVID-19 vaccination, cumulatively 15,326 people have been vaccinated in the country
with 6,235 being vaccinated in the past 24 hours. Cumulatively, Malawi has recorded
33,174 cases including 1,092 deaths (Case Fatality Rate is at 3.29%). Of these cases, 2,099 are imported infections and 31,075 are locally transmitted. Cumulatively, 27, 847cases have
now recovered (recovery rate of 83.9%) and 134 were lost to follow-up. This brings the
total number of active cases to 4,101. In the past 24 hours, two cases were hospitalised while three were discharged. Currently, a total of 37 active cases are hospitalised: eight each in Blantyre and Lilongwe, five in Zomba, four in each in Mzimba North and Thyolo, three in
Kasungu, and one each in Nkhata Bay, Ntcheu, Balaka, Salima, and Chiradzulu Districts. On
testing, in the past 24 hours, 1,155 COVID-19 tests were conducted. Of these, 220 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 11.2%. Cumulatively, 211,885
tests have been conducted in the country so far.
Let me emphasize that everyone is at risk of contracting COVID-19. Let me remind the
public that COVID-19 is often more severe in older people and/or those that have health
conditions like lung or heart diseases, diabetes mellitus (sugar disease), hypertension (high
BP), TB and HIV, asthma or conditions that affect their immune system. It has been observed that many people are not aware that they have these underlying conditions and only become aware while having COVID-19 infection. It is important for everyone to routinely get screened for these underlying conditions. For those that have these chronic diseases, it is important that the chronic condition you live with is under control; this means ensuring you are regularly taking medication for diabetes, hypertension, HIV, TB and Asthma.
As we continue with COVID-19 vaccination, let me encourage the elderly and those with co-
morbidities to utilize the opportunity as COVID-19 has been shown to affect the elderly and people with pre-existing chronic condition more adversely. The vaccine will help protect
these categories of people from COVID-19 or from becoming severely ill should they get
infected.
Lastly, let me emphasize that the AstraZeneca vaccine which we are using, is safe as it has less or fewer side effects, most of which are minor and self-limiting. These include pain or
soreness on the injection site, fever, headache, muscle or joint pain, fatigue or nausea and
will usually go away without any need of hospital treatment. As with any other vaccine,
those that are receiving it are informed on the possible side effects including those that may
need to be immediately reported to the health facilities. Those that have or will be receiving
the vaccine are encouraged to report to the nearest health facility any adverse effects
following immunization or call the toll free 929. Remember, the COVID-19 vaccine is being
rolled out to help to reduce deaths, the risk of hospitalization and severe disease from
COVID-19.
No one is safe until everyone else is safe. Protect yourself. Protect your loved ones. Protect
everyone. Call toll free 929.
Hon. Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda, MP
MINISTER OF HEALTH
CO-CHAIRPERSON – PRESIDENTIAL TASKFORCE