In the past 24 hours, Malawi has registered 247 new COVID-19 cases, 208 new recoveries, 11 new deaths. All new cases are locally transmitted: 71 from Lilongwe, 67 from Zomba, 50 from Blantyre, nine from Mzimba North, five each from Mulanje and Mwanza, four each from Chiradzulu and Nkhata Bay, three each from Balaka, Dowa, Mangochi, Ntchisi,
Phalombe, and Salima, two each from Karonga, kasungu, Neno, and Ntcheu, and one each from Chitipa, Dedza, Likoma, Machinga, Mchinji, and Mzimba South Districts. In the past 24 hours, 11 new COVID-19 deaths have been registered: four from Blantyre,two each from Rumphi and Mulanje, and one each from Lilongwe, Dowa and Ntcheu Districts. To the bereaved families, may you find peace, hope and love during these difficult times. May the souls of the departed rest in peace.
Cumulatively, Malawi has recorded 28,876 cases including 937 deaths (Case Fatality Rate is at 3.2%). Of these cases, 2,017 are imported infections and 26,859 are locally transmitted. Cumulatively, 13,554 cases have now recovered, 134 were lost to follow-up, and 76 are still being investigated to ascertain their outcome. This brings the total numberof active cases to 14,175. In the past 24 hours, 31 cases were hospitalised while 16 were
discharged. Currently, a total of 188 active cases are hospitalised: 55 in Blanytre, 47 in
Lilongwe, 20 in Mzimba North, 12 in Zomba, seven in Thyolo, six each in Dowa and
Karonga, five in Mulanje, four each in Mchinji and Chiradzulu, three in Kasungu, two each
in Machinga, Chitipa, Rumphi, Dedza, Ntcheu, Salima, and Mwanza, and one each in
Nkhata Bay, Mzimba South, Mangochi, Chikwawa, and Nsanje. On testing, in the past 24 hours, 1,444 COVID-19 tests were conducted. Of these, 506 tests were through SARS-COV-2 Antigen Rapid Diagnostic test while the rest were through RT-PCR. The positive cases out of the total translates to a positivity rate of 17.1%. Cumulatively, 170,232 tests have been conducted in the country so far.
We have observed some unfortunate incidences such as violence and aggression towards our health workers and other frontline staff. Most of these incidences originates from fake and misinformation that are being circulated by some misguided individuals. Sadly, some are targeting our health workers and frontline staff. Although these unfortunate events that are coming at a time when we are having an increase in new confirmed cases, admissions and deaths, our health workers and frontline staff are working tirelessly to save lives. What everyone has to know and accept is that we have COVID-19 pandemic in our country and during the second wave we are experiencing massive community transmission. In order to ensure that the transmission is stopped there is need for all of us to accept the results of the COVID-19 testing and adhere to the advice from the health workers. The denial that is
currently being portrayed by some sections of the society will only make the situation worse. We may lose a lot of people who can be saved if we do not work in unity. I would like to appreciate all health workers and frontline staff on the good work that they are doing in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic in our country. So far, our health workers have shown high level of dedication and hard work in the management of the COVID-19 patients, contact tracing, testing, risk communication and community engagement and in ensuring that logistics and supplies are available at all levels. I would like to request that this hard-working spirit should be by all and continue till we defeat this pandemic.
Lastly, let remind the public that though we have COVID-19 pandemic, our focus should
also be on other disease priorities that continue affecting us such as Malaria, TB, HIV, Non-Communicable Diseases (High blood pressure, Diabetes), Sexual and Reproductive and immunization services. Let me point out that these essential services are still being provided in all our health facilities and designated outreach clinics. Let me encourage the public to seek health care early as whenever necessary. Those on long term treat ensure that you have pre-stocked the drugs and that you are adhering to the medication.
Watch your distance! Wash your hands! Wear your mask! Seek for care early upon
development of symptoms of COVID-19. Call toll free 929.
Dr John Phuka
Co-Chairperson – Presidential Taskforce