In the past 24 hours, Malawi has registered 79 new COVID-19 cases, 17 new recoveries and
two new deaths. Of the new cases, 69 are locally transmitted: 25 from Blantyre, 10 from
Zomba, eight from Kasungu, six from Lilongwe, five from Mulanje, four from Karonga, two
each from Mangochi and Thyolo, and one each from Likoma, Machinga, Mchinji, Mwanza,
Mzimba North, Neno, and Ntcheu Districts while 10 cases are imported: three from Lilongwe, and one each from Blantyre, Zomba, Mulanje, Mangochi, Mzimba North, Mzimba South, and Dowa Districts. Two new deaths were registered in the past 24 hours; one each from Blantyre and Lilongwe. 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 34,781 cases including 1,166 deaths (Case Fatality Rate is at 3.35%). Of these cases, 2,326 are imported infections and 32,455 are locally transmitted. Cumulatively, 32,824 cases have now recovered (recovery rate of 94.4%) and 232 were lost to follow-up. This brings the total number of active cases to 559. In the past 24 hours, there were seven new admissions in the treatment units while four cases were discharged. Currently, a total of 22 active cases are currently hospitalised: 12 in Blantyre, six in Lilongwe, three in Zomba, and one in Thyolo Districts. On testing, in the past 24 hours, 1,023 COVID-19 tests were conducted. Of these, 302 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 7.7% while a weekly positivity rate (seven days moving average) is at 7%. Cumulatively, 256,582 tests have been conducted in the country so far. On COVID-19 vaccination, cumulatively 380,697 and 33,264 people have received the first dose and second dose respectively. Over the past 24 hours 2,003 people received the first dose and 5,791 the second dose. A total of 413,961 vaccine doses has been administered in the country so far.
We are experiencing an increase in the number of new COVID-19 cases both locally transmitted and imported in our country. The cases continue to rise and today we have reported the highest number of new cases since March 2021. Let me remind everyone that the chances of those confirmed positive transmitting the disease to those in close contact with them is very high, it is important that the contacts of the confirmed cases get tested. Many of our COVID-19 patients are asymptomatic and this is why it is important to treat everyone you meet as a potential carrier of the disease and ensure strict adherence to the preventive and containment measures. In order to reduce and stop the spread of COVID-19 in our country, we need to identify those that have the disease through testing, isolate them and provide appropriate care
depending on the severity of the disease. The contacts of the confirmed cases have to be traced and tested as well to ascertain whether they have the disease or not. It is important that everyone of us promptly reports for testing whenever we experience COVID-19 symptoms. The most common symptoms include fever, dry cough, and tiredness, while in some patients it presents with aches and pains, sore throat, diarrhoea, conjunctivitis, headache, loss of taste or smell, rash on the skin, or discolouration of fingers or toes. When one has these symptoms, there is need to have a COVID-19 test.
Let me emphasize the importance of seeking care early when one is experiencing COVID-19
severe symptoms such as difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, chest pain or pressure, loss of speech or movement. The outcomes are much better if one seeks care early unfortunately we have observed that there is general late health care seeking behavior among us whereby patients arrive in our treatment units while in severe state and this results in poor outcomes. In some instances, some COVID-19 patients refuse to be admitted in the treatment units opting to go home even when their condition warrants admission- again this is regrettable as this can
lead to poor outcomes. We have lost loved ones who insisted on home treatment and some of these deaths could have been prevented if patients were brought in early to receive appropriate care. It is critical that those that have severe COVID-19 symptoms, seek care immediately at the nearest health facility.
No one is safe until everyone else is safe. 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