In the past 24 hours, Malawi has registered 52 new COVID-19 cases, 14 new recoveries and
one new death. Of the new cases, 44 are locally transmitted: 14 each from Blantyre and
Thyolo, four from Salima, three each from Dowa and Lilongwe, two from Mangochi, and one each from Kasungu, Machinga, Mulanje, and Mzimba North Districts while seven cases are imported: five from Dowa District (new arrivals at Dzaleka Refugee Camp) and two from Lilongwe District (recent arrivals from India and DRC). One new death was registered in the past 24 hours and is from Blantyre. To the families that have lost their loved ones during this pandemic, may you find peace, hope and love during this difficult time. May the souls of the departed rest in peace.
Cumulatively, Malawi has recorded 34,702 cases including 1,164 deaths (Case Fatality Rate is at 3.35%). Of these cases, 2,316 are imported infections and 32,386 are locally transmitted. Cumulatively, 32,807 cases have now recovered (recovery rate of 94.5%) and 232 were lost to follow-up. This brings the total number of active cases to 499. In the past 24 hours, there were five new admissions in the treatment units while two cases were discharged. Currently, a total of 21 active cases are currently hospitalised: 10 in Blantyre, seven in Lilongwe, three in Zomba, and one in Thyolo Districts. On testing, in the past 24 hours, 861 COVID-19 tests were conducted. Of these, 274 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 6% while a weekly positivity rate (seven days moving average) is at 6.4%. Cumulatively, 255,559 tests have been conducted in the country so far. On COVID-19 vaccination, cumulatively 378,694 and 27,473 people have received the first dose and second dose respectively. Over the past 24 hours 3,116 people received the first dose and 9,738 the second dose. A total of 406,167 vaccine doses has been administered in the country so far.
We are observing an increase in the number of new COVID-19 cases being registered in our
country with local transmission also on the increase. We have also observed in past few days that the number of imported cases are also increasing thereby putting a threat on further transmission of the disease in this country. At this point the risk of COVID-19 spreading rapidly remains high. We therefore need to treat everyone we meet as a potential carrier of the disease as about 80% of those with COVID-19 will be asymptomatic. It important to note that those with COVID-19 including those asymptomatic, if not isolated will transmit the disease to more people hence the need to be adhering to all the preventive and containment measures all the time. It is also my appeal to those that been confirmed COVID-19 positive and contacts of the confirmed cases to strictly follow isolation and quarantine rules respectively to stop the further spread of the virus to the family members, work mates and the community at large.
Let me remind everyone that mass gatherings, markets, public transport, workplaces, bars,
family gatherings, group sports, churches and funeral ceremonies act as super spreaders of the disease. I should point it out that the more people interact and the closer in distance the
interaction is (less than one meter), and the longer the interaction lasts, the higher the risk of spreading COVID-19. The higher the level of community transmission in an area, the higher
the risk of spreading COVID-19. This is the time for us to seriously consider re-strategizing our
day to day lives and only make decisions that will help reduce the spread of the virus in our
midst. The most important preventive measures we should implement are observing physical distancing, hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette including proper wearing of 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.
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 TASKFORCE