Malawi has registered three more COVID-19 deaths, bringing the total of fatalities to 171 since the first case was recorded in the country.

Minister of Health Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda who is also Co-Chair of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 confirmed of the development in a statement released on Monday.

According to Chiponda, in past 24 hours the country has registered 46 new COVID-19 cases with 20 new recoveries.

“Malawi has registered 46 new COVID-19 cases, 20 new recoveries and three new deaths. Of the new cases, 41 are locally transmitted: 14 from Blantyre, eight from Kasungu, six from Machinga, five from Ntcheu, three from Lilongwe, two each from Thyolo and Dedza, and one from Mwanza Districts while five cases are imported: three from Mchinji, and one each from one Kasungu and Lilongwe Districts.

“Three new deaths were registered in the past 24 hours; two from Blantyre and one in Machinga 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,” reads in part the statement.

Meanwhile the country has 620 active cases.

Chiponda has since urged Malawians to continue adhering to COVID-19 measures to control the spread of the pandemic.