According to the Ministry of Health, in the last 24 hours, Malawi recorded 235 new cases of the global pandemic coronavirus, 15 new recoveries and two new deaths.
The statement also revealed that this is the highest number of new infections recorded so far in a longest period of time.
“Malawi is currently experiencing an increase in the number of confirmed Covid-19 cases with yesterday having registered one of the highest number of cases that we have not had for some time,” read part of the statement.
Minister of Health Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda also noted that number of active cases being admitted in treatment units across the country because of Covid-19 is increasing.
Kandodo Chiponda described the development as sad while suggesting that more work needs to be done “especially on encouraging people to follow the recommended COVID-19 management and prevention guidelines in order to reverse this worrisome trend.”
She then revealed that her ministry has enhanced surveillance and public health measures in order to avert another wave of COVID-19 which would overwhelm the health system.
“Currently our statistics indicate that we have remained at level 1 of the pandemic, as defined in the Public Health (Corona Virus and COVID-19) (Prevention, Containment and Management) (Amendment) (No3) Rules, 2021, since the first week of October 2021,” she said.
Kandodo Chiponda added; “This is as a result of following the preventive measures like proper use of face masks in public places, frequent washing of hands with soap and water, or use of alcohol based sanitizers, keeping social distance, avoiding crowded places, and most importantly, getting vaccinated against COVID-19 for those that are eligible.”
She then encouraged those that have not received the vaccine yet to do adding that the jab has proven to successfully reduce the risk of developing severe disease, risk of hospitalization and deaths due to COVID-19 while the other preventive measures help to prevent one from contracting or passing on the virus, including the new variant.
Cumulatively, Malawi has recorded 62,615 cases including 2,310 deaths (Case Fatality Rate is at 3.69%). Of these cases, 2,734 are imported infections and 59,881 are locally transmitted.
Cumulatively, 58,878 cases have now recovered (recovery rate of 94.03%) and 232 were lost to follow-up.
