In the past 24 hours, Malawi has registered 33 new COVID-19 cases, 107 new recoveries and
one new death. All new cases are locally transmitted: 27 from Blantyre, and one each from Chikwawa, Dedza, Lilongwe, Mulanje, Ntchisi, and Phalombe Districts. One new death was registered in the past 24 hours and is from Mzimba North District. To the families that have lost their loved during this pandemic, may you find peace, hope and love during this difficult time. May the departed souls rest in peace.
Cumulatively, Malawi has recorded 33,584 cases including 1,118 deaths (Case Fatality Rate is at 3.33%). Of these cases, 2,119 are imported infections and 31,465 are locally transmitted. Cumulatively, 30,379 cases have now recovered (recovery rate of 90.5%) and 134 were lost to follow-up. This brings the total number of active cases to 1,953. In the past 24 hours, four cases were hospitalised while three were discharged. Currently, a total of 28 active cases are hospitalised: 11 in Blantyre, eight in Lilongwe, two each in Salima and Mzimba North, and one each in Zomba, Mzimba South, Mangochi, Karonga, and Mchinji Districts. On
testing, in the past 24 hours, 633 COVID-19 tests were conducted. Of these, 89 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 5.2%. Cumulatively, 219,103
tests have been conducted in the country so far. On COVID-19 vaccination, cumulatively
144,979 doses have been administered in the country with 10,690 being administered in the
past 24 hours.
The new confirmed COVID-19 cases being recorded on a daily basis indicate that we still
have community transmission of COVID-19 amidst us. As we start the Easter holidays
tomorrow , to ensure that the risk of COVID-19 transmission is minimized, I would like to
request each one of us to include COVID-19 preventive measures as we plan our
cerebrations. Any time we are with family and friends, there are things that we need to
follow to ensure that our time together is safe. It is important to ensure that everyone
adheres to proper wearing of face masks, hand washing with soap or use of hand sanitizers
and maintenance of physical distance of at least a meter. In order to limit the risk of
transmission, open air events are preferred over indoor activities. In case of indoor activities please ensure that there is adequate ventilation. Everyone must continue taking steps to protect themselves and others from COVID-19. It is important to avoid the ‘3 C’ settings where COVID-19 spreads very easily: crowds, close-contact settings and confined spaces.
Lastly, on COVID-19 vaccination, I would inform you that the vaccination exercise will
continue over the Easter holiday and the vaccination sites will remain open to give an
opportunity to those eligible to get vaccinated. Let me encourage those that are in the
priority groups in the first phase i.e. health workers and other social workers, those aged 60 years and above and those with underlying conditions to utilize the opportunity and get
vaccinated against COVID-19. The public is encouraged to contact the local health authorities for the sites that will be operational during this Easter holidays. Remember the COVID-19 vaccination is being rolled out to reduce severe disease due to COVID-19, risk of hospitalization and deaths.
No one is safe until everyone else is safe. Protect yourself. Protect your loved ones. Protect everyone. Call toll free 929.
Hon. Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda, MP
MINISTER OF HEALTH
CO-CHAIRPERSON – PRESIDENTIAL TASKFORCE