In the past 24 hours, Malawi has registered 229 new COVID-19 cases, 37 new recoveries and
two new deaths. Of the new cases, 221 are locally transmitted: 82 from Blantyre, 35 each
from Lilongwe and Machinga, 21 from Zomba, 11 from Ntchisi, 10 from Kasungu, nine from
Mchinji, five from Rumphi, four from Balaka, two each from Salima and Thyolo, and one each from Chikwawa, Karonga, Mzimba North, Neno and Nkhotakota Districts while eight cases are imported: three from Lilongwe, two from Nkhotakota, and one each Blantyre, Rumphi, and Mzimba South Districts. Two new deaths were registered in the past 24 hours; one each from Blantyre and Ntchisi Districts. 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 36,126 cases including 1,196 deaths (Case Fatality Rate is at 3.31%). Of these cases, 2,436 are imported infections and 33,690 are locally transmitted. Cumulatively, 33,169 cases have now recovered (recovery rate of 91.8%) and 232 were lost to follow-up. This brings the total number of active cases to 1,529. In the past 24 hours, there were 19 new admissions in the treatment units while nine cases were discharged. Currently, a total of 62 active cases are currently hospitalised; 25 in Blantyre, 11 in Lilongwe, six in Zomba, four in Mchinji, three each in Kasungu, Thyolo, and Machinga, two each in Mzimba North, Mulanje, and Balaka, and one in Neno Districts. On testing, in the past 24 hours, 1.251 COVID-19 tests were conducted. Of these, 656 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 18,3% while a weekly positivity rate
(seven days moving average) is at 12.3%. Cumulatively, 268,117 tests have been conducted in the country so far. On COVID-19 vaccination, cumulatively 385,242 and 43,165 people have received the first dose and second dose respectively. The COVID-19 vaccination remain paused hence no doses were administered over the past 24 hours. A total of 428,407 vaccine doses has been administered in the country so far.
The figures continue to rise, we have recorded the highest number of COVID-19 new cases
and admissions since March 2021 and we really need to reduce and stop the further spread of the virus in our country. With the increased number of new cases and the increased number of active cases, the risk of rapid transmission of the virus in our communities remains high. We may have some people that have the virus but have no symptoms and they can easily transmit
the infection hence the need for every one of us to strictly adhere to the preventive and
containment measures. One of the preventive measures in the fight against COVID-19 is the
proper wearing of facemask which is now mandatory in all public places under the gazetted COVID-19 prevention and containment rules. I would like to appreciate those that have taken up the wearing of mask seriously and let me encourage the public to wear a mask always.
Masks are recommended as a simple barrier to help prevent respiratory droplets from traveling into the air and onto other people when the person wearing the mask coughs, sneezes, talks, or raises their voice. This is called source control. Apart from reducing the spread of COVID-19, facemasks play an important role in the prevention and control of other infectious
respiratory disease transmission such as influenza. Compliance with other measures including physical distancing, hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette and adequate ventilation in indoor settings is essential for reducing the spread of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID19.
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