* Bringing total active cases at 1,141
* Of the new cases, 212 are locally transmitted infections
* 69 cases are currently admitted in 8 hospitals
* 1,387 COVID-19 tests done in the past 24 hours
* Blantyre and Lilongwe remain the pandemic’s hotspots
By Duncan Mlanjira
On New Year’s Day, there were a total of 604 active but as of Wednesday evening (January 6), the figure has risen to 1,141 — from 505 on New Year’s Eve; to 602 on January 2; 750 on January 3; 837 on Monday, January 4 and 948 on Tuesday.
This is from the 1,387 COVID-19 tests that were done in the past 24 hours in which the country registered 227 new cases, 34 new recoveries and, fortunately no new deaths.
Blantyre and Lilongwe continue being the pandemic’s hotspot as of the 212 locally transmitted infections new cases, 80 are from Blantyre, 46 from Lilongwe, 22 from Zomba, 19 from Mzimba North, 14 from Salima and 11 from Thyolo.
Six of the cases from Kasungu are all health care workers, while three of the five from Mulanje are also health care workers.
Coronavirues alert: Respect to health workers
Dowa registered three while one of the two cases from Mwanza is a health care worker. Nkhotakota registered two and one each from Mangochi and Ntchisi districts.
There were 15 imported infections — seven from Lilongwe, four from Blantyre, two Mwanza and one each from Rumphi and Zomba districts.
Of the active cases, 69 are currently admitted in eight hospitals — 28 in Blantyre at Queen Elizabeth Central, 33 in Lilongwe at Kamuzu Central and Bwaila , two at Mzuzu Central, two at Balaka, two at Zomba Central, one each in Thyolo at Malamulo Adventist Hospital and at Nkhotakota District Hospital.
Coronavirus alert
Cumulatively, Malawi has recorded 7,337 cases including 199 deaths since April last year and of these cases, 1,577 are imported infections and 5,760 are locally transmitted.
Cumulatively, 5,787 cases have now recovered, 134 were lost to follow-up, and 76 are still being investigated to ascertain their outcome.
Wednesday’s situation report from presidential taskforce on COVID-19 co-chairperson, Dr. John Phuka says of the 1,387 COVID-19 tests that were conducted, 55 of the new test were through SARS-COV-2 Antigen Rapid Diagnostic test while the rest were through RT-PCR.
Cumulatively, 90,035 tests,have been conducted in the country so far.
Dr. Phuka says the speed at which the disease is spreading is alarming and in this new wave the country is still experiencing local transmission of the disease, coupled with a number of imported cases.
“Sadly, the number of active cases has surpassed 1,000 mark within the past three weeks and the total number of those admitted is at a record high at 68.
“These figures might be under reported as there might be a lot of active cases within the communities. We have also observed an increase in the number of people infected within various institutions and
this indicates the laxity of adherence to the preventive measures at personal and institutional level.”
He added that much as the country has imported cases influencing the status, community transmission is also rising especially in Blantyre and Lilongwe – the disease hotspot districts.
“This is a big challenge at a time when many factors put us at high risk of contracting the disease. There are reports of mutated COVID-19 virus affecting many countries including some African countries such as South Africa and Zambia.
Situation in South Africa
“The mutated coronavirus is said to be spreading faster than the primary variant. This is putting everyone at high risk of contracting this virus especially that we have socioeconomic travels with these countries.
“Correspondingly, as the number of cases is rising so is the number of admissions as well as deaths.”
Dr. Phuka reiterates need to adhere to all preventive measures of COVID-19 as taught by Ministry of Health to avoid these devastating outcomes.
In Zambia
“The chances of one recovering from COVID-19 increases when the disease is identified as early as possible, hence the need for prompt health seeking behaviour.
“I would like to encourage the public to promptly inform the health authorities by calling toll-free number 54747 (Airtel) or 929 (TNM) whenever one is experiencing COVID-19 like symptoms such as fever, cough, flu, shortness of breath, loss of taste or smell and tiredness.
In Zimbabwe
“This will help us to identify the disease in early stages so that appropriate care can be given immediately.
“Watch your distance! Wash your hands! Wear your mask! Seek for care early upon development of symptoms of COVID-19.”
