In the past 24 hours, Malawi has registered 13 new COVID-19 cases, 56 new recoveries and
no new deaths. Of the new cases, 12 are locally transmitted: five from Blantyre, four from
Lilongwe, and one each from Mangochi, Mchinji, and Kasungu Districts while one is imported (recent arrival from Mozambique) and is from Mulanje District.
Cumulatively, Malawi has recorded 34,274 cases including 1,153 deaths (Case Fatality Rate is at 3.36%). Of these cases, 2,197 are imported infections and 32,077 are locally transmitted. Cumulatively, 32,318 cases have now recovered (recovery rate of 94.3%) and 232 were lost to follow-up. This brings the total number of active cases to 571. In the past 24 hours, there was one new admission in the treatment units while one case was discharged. Currently, a total of seven active cases are hospitalised: two each in Blantyre and Zomba, and one each in Lilongwe, Mchinji, and Mulanje Districts. On testing, in the past 24 hours, 707 COVID-19 tests were conducted. Of these, 194 tests were through SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Rapid Diagnostic test while the rest were through RT-PCR. The positive cases out of the total number tested (past 24 hours) translates to a positivity rate of 1.8% while a weekly positivity rate (seven days moving average) is at 1.9%. Cumulatively, 242,797 tests have been conducted in the country so far. On COVID-19 vaccination, cumulatively 344,394 doses have been administered in the
country with 2,426 being administered in the past 24 hours.
Most of the confirmed COVID-19 cases that are reported on daily basis are locally transmitted
indicating that we still have community transmission of COVID-19 in our country hence the need for strict adherence to the COVID-19 preventive and containment measures. Let me remind the public that some of the COVID-19 preventive measures have multiple benefits.
Apart from preventing the spread of COVID-19, they also help reduce the spread of other
diseases. For instance, handwashing with soap also helps prevent other diseases such as
dysentery and Cholera. We should make frequent hand washing with soap as our daily habit with or without COVID-19. Face masks, apart from reducing the spread of COVID-19, also play an important role in the prevention and control of other infectious respiratory diseasessuch as influenza.
In order to reduce further the spread of coronavirus in our midst, the most important
preventive measures we should adhere to are observing physical distancing, hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette including wearing facemask and ensuring adequate ventilation when having activities indoor. These measures are essential for reducing the spread of COVID-19.
Everyone must continue taking steps to protect themselves and others from COVID-19
transmission. Further, it is important to avoid the ā3 Cā settings where COVID-19 spreads most easily: crowds, close-contact settings and confined spaces. On COVID-19 Vaccination, I would like to inform the general public that the vaccination exercise is continuing in all Government and CHAM facilities and we have adequate stocks of
the vaccine. We have trained more health workers to ensure that we have adequate staff in the vaccination sites. I would like to request everyone aged 18 years and above to utilize this opportunity to get vaccinated so that they are protected from severe disease, risk of
hospitalization or death due to COVID-19. My special appeal goes to those who by nature of
their occupation interact with a lot of people on daily basis such as those working in banks,
shops, vendors and those in the transport sector to come and get the vaccine.
Let me remind everyone to avoid unnecessary travel at this time and if you have to please
adhere to all the measures.
No one is safe until everyone else is safe. Get Vaccinated. Seconds save lives ā clean your
hands! Protect yourself. Protect your loved ones. Protect everyone. Call toll free 929.
Hon. Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda, MP
MINISTER OF HEALTH
CO-CHAIRPERSON ā PRESIDENTIAL TASKFORCE