In the past 24 hours, Malawi has registered 23 new COVID-19 cases, three new recoveries and no new deaths. Of the new cases, 21 are locally transmitted: 12 from Blantyre, four each from
Salima and Zomba, one from Thyolo Districts while two cases are imported: one each from
Dedza (from South Africa) and Dowa Districts (recent arrival at Dzaleka Refugee Camp).
Cumulatively, Malawi has recorded 34,470 cases including 1,158 deaths (Case Fatality Rate is at 3.36%). Of these cases, 2,234 are imported infections and 32,236 are locally transmitted. Cumulatively, 32,709 cases have now recovered (recovery rate of 94.9%) and 232 were lost to follow-up. This brings the total number of active cases to 371. In the past 24 hours, there were four new admissions in the treatment units while no cases were discharged. Currently, a total of 13 active cases are currently hospitalised: nine in Blantyre, two in Lilongwe, and one each in Thyolo, and Zomba Districts. On testing, in the past 24 hours, 655 COVID-19 tests were conducted. Of these, 191 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 3.5% while a weekly positivity rate (seven days moving average) is at 2.8%. Cumulatively, 252,082 tests have been conducted in the country so far. On COVID-19 vaccination, cumulatively 368,465 and 5,803 people have received the
first dose and second dose respectively. Over the past 24 hours 2,267 people received the first dose and 2,327 the second dose. A total of 374,268 vaccine doses has been administered in the country so far.
The risk of COVID-19 spreading in the country remains high hence the need for all of us to be
vigilant in our adherence to the preventive and containment measures. We have observed an
increase in the number of new confirmed cases being registered in Blantyre and a slight increase in the admissions in the treatment units. It is important to note that other people have a much higher risk of developing severe illness or even death from COVID 19 infection and these include the elderly plus those with underlying co-morbidities. It is therefore important that these categories of people are shielded and also vaccinated. Getting vaccinated is one of many steps you can take to protect yourself and others from COVID-19 as vaccines work with your immune system so your body will be ready to fight the virus if you are exposed. The vaccination exercise is in progress in all Government and CHAM facilities; let me appeal to those aged 18 years and above to get vaccinated so as to protect themselves from the risk of developing severe disease, risk of hospitalization and deaths from COVID-19. Wearing masks,hand washing and social distancing, helps reduce your chance of being exposed to the virus or
spreading it to others.
We are at a critical point whereby we really need to reduce further the spread of the COVID-19 in our country. At this point, I would like to appeal to everyone to play a role to ensure that we prevent an increase in the new cases, this is important now as our neighbouring countries are reporting a surge in new cases. Everyone has to be involved by adhering to the preventive and containment measures, the actions that individuals, families and communities take in protecting themselves from the disease will safe guard our country. Let us encourage and remind each other to strictly practice; hand washing with soap, avoiding over crowded places, maintaining physical/social distance of at least 1 meter and proper wearing of masks.
No one is safe until everyone else is safe. Get Vaccinated. Seconds save lives – 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 – PRESIDENTIAL TASKFORC