In the past 24 hours, Malawi has registered 26 new COVID-19 cases, 311 new recoveries and
two new deaths. Of the new cases, 23 are locally transmitted: 12 from Blantyre, six from
Lilongwe, two from Ntchisi, and one each from Mchinji and Thyolo while three new cases are
imported; all from Blantyre and were identified at Mwanza border during routine screening.
Two new deaths were registered in the past 24 hours: one each from Lilongwe and Phalombe
Districts. To the families that have lost their loved during this pandemic, may you find peace, hope and love during this difficult times. May the souls of the departed rest in peace.
On COVID-19 vaccination, cumulatively 25,589 people have been vaccinated in the country
with 1,039 being vaccinated in the past 24 hours. Cumulatively, Malawi has recorded 33,270cases including 1,098 deaths (Case Fatality Rate is at 3.30%). Of these cases, 2,103 are imported infections and 31,167 are locally transmitted. Cumulatively, 28,947 cases have now recovered (recovery rate of 87%) and 134 were lost to follow-up. This brings the total numberof active cases to 3,091. In the past 24 hours, three cases were hospitalised while four were discharged. Currently, a total of 33 active cases are hospitalised: 11 in Blantyre, seven in Lilongwe, four in Thyolo, three in Zomba, two in Mzimba North, and one each in Nkhata Bay, Mangochi, Balaka, Mchinji, Phalombe, and Chiradzulu Districts. On testing, in the past
24 hours, 203 COVID-19 tests were conducted. Of these, 38 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 12.8%. Cumulatively, 213,245 tests have been
conducted in the country so far.
Today, let me remind the public about the COVID-19 symptoms to facilitate early care seeking when one experiences symptoms. It has to be noted that COVID-19 affects people in different ways. Most infected people will develop mild to moderate illness and recover without hospitalization. The most common symptoms include fever, dry cough and tiredness, while some patients will present with aches and pains, sore throat, diarrhea, conjunctivitis, headache, loss of taste or smell, a rash on skin, or discolouration of fingers or toes. When one experience these symptoms, there is need to have a COVID-19 test. Serious symptoms include difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, chest pain or pressure and loss of speech or movement. These require immediate medical attention.
As we still have the community transmission, in order to reduce the spread of the disease, it is important that we identify those that they have the disease by testing, isolating and providingappropriate care depending on the severity of the disease. Contacts of confirmed cases have to be tested as well and should quarantine for 14 days. It is important to report for medical screening if one shows any COVID-19 symptoms. For any deaths with unexplained cause, please call toll number free 929 or report to nearest health authority. I would like to request everyone to strictly adhere to the COVID-19 preventive measures
- Frequent hand washing with soap
- Proper wearing of masks
- Avoiding over crowded places
- Practicing cough and sneeze etiquette
- Staying away from others if one has flu like symptoms
- Decontaminate commonly touched surfaces
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