In the past 24 hours, Malawi has registered three new COVID-19 cases, six new recoveries and no new death. All new cases are locally transmitted: one each from Lilongwe, Kasungu, and Salima Districts.
Cumulatively, Malawi has recorded 34,183 cases including 1,153 deaths (Case Fatality Rate is at 3.37%). Of these cases, 2,177 are imported infections and 32,006 are locally transmitted. Cumulatively, 32,170 cases have now recovered (recovery rate of 94.1%) and 134 were lost to follow-up. This brings the total number of active cases to 726. In the past 24 hours, there was one new admission in the treatment units while one case was discharged. Currently, a total of eight active cases are hospitalised: four in Blantyre, three in Lilongwe, and one in Zomba Districts. On testing, in the past 24 hours, 360 COVID-19 tests were conducted. Of these, 169 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 0.8% while a weekly positivity rate (seven days moving average) is at 2.1%. Cumulatively, 236,897 tests have been conducted in the country so far. On COVID-19 vaccination, cumulatively 325,797 doses have been administered in the country with 5,497
being administered in the past 24 hours.
Today, I would like to commend the teachers, parents/guardians, learners and school
authorities for the tireless efforts to keep the schools safe from COVID-19. Since the schools were reopened on 22nd February 2021, we have not recorded any serious COVID-19
transmissions in schools except at one school i.e. Malawi University of Science and Technology where about 60 cases were registered in April 2021. The situation at the school has so far been contained and the learning is in progress. The good work by all stakeholders in the schools has made this reduction in transmission possible. It is important to continue implementing
preventive and containment measures to ensure that the school environment remains safe to avoid disruption of learning activities in schools.
Let me emphasize that in order for schools to remain safe we should continue to plan and
implement COVID-19 preventive measures such as screening of both students and teachers, maintaining physical distancing, ensuring that all lodging and classroom facilities are not congested and in addition the following have to continuously be strictly observed
Sick students, teachers and other staff should not come to school and for boarding
schools, they should ensure that they have dedicated rooms to be used as isolation rooms in case they have suspected or confirmed COVID-19 cases.
Schools should enforce regular hand washing with safe water and soap, chlorine solution or alcohol rub/hand sanitizer.
Frequent cleaning and disinfection of the most touched surfaces and objects at the
school
Schools should provide water, sanitation and waste management facilities and follow
environmental cleaning and decontamination procedures
Proper wearing of mask and dispose them safely
Practicing cough and sneeze etiquette
Staggering approach to be used in classrooms, libraries and in eating areas to reduce
congestion
Frequent health education sessions to the learners on the prevention of COVID-19
Monitor school attendance to track student and staff absence and compare against usual
absenteeism patterns at the school. Alert local health authorities about large increases in student and staff absenteeism due to respiratory illnesses.
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