* Of the active cases, 89 are admitted in 11 hospitals
* Local transmissions still on the rise as 267 new case are local
* Some of the returnees involved in the fracas at Mapanga have been arrested for malicious damage and arson
By Duncan Mlanjira
The COVID-19 second wave that has hit the country continues to take it toll as in the past 24 hours, 15 related deaths have occurred and 269 new COVID-19 cases have been registered with 15 as new recoveries.
Sad incident at Mapanga isolation centre
Local transmissions are still on the rise as 267 of new case are local, bring the total of active cases at 2,316.
Of the active cases, 89 are admitted in 11 hospitals across the country — 41 in Blantyre, 30 in Lilongwe, five in Zomba, three each in Mzimba North and Nkhotakota, two in Balaka, and one each in Dowa, Mchinji, Rumphi, Chikwawa, and Mulanje.
Two of the new deaths are from Lilongwe (61-year-old male and 86-year-old female), and one each from Chikwawa (54-year-old), Thyolo (61-year-old) and Zomba (35-year-old).
Dr. Phuka
Meanwhile, co-chairperson of the presidential taskforce on COVID-19, Dr. John Phuka explains of the circumstances surrounding the incident that happened Sunday at Mapanga Prison Training College, the facility that was designated as a reception centre for Malawian returnees from South Africa.
Phuka said the centre is to collect COVID-19 samples and the returnee is expected to stay there until results are out and disseminated. Other border entry activities (Immigration and Customs) will be conducted there.
He said on Saturday night, they received over 700 Malawians and were shipped to Mapanga but “sadly today they committed acts of violence, including destroying property by torching buildings and smashing vehicles”.
“In response, some of the returnees have been arrested for malicious damage and arson,” he said.
He added that by law, all returnees are required to produce a negative COVID-19 test certificate from a PCR machine upon entering Malawi but still all returnees will still be sent to the reception centres for screening irrespective of their status.
“Failure to comply with the requirements for entry into Malawi will be dealt with in accordance with the law.”
Firefighters controlling the damage
caused
Of the new cases, 70 from Lilongwe, 50 from Salima, 45 from Blantyre, 31 from Zomba, 13 from Dowa, nine from Mzimba South, six from Chikwawa, five each from Balaka, Karonga, Mangochi, Mulanje, and Nkhotakota, four from Mwanza, three each from Kasungu, and Neno, two from Mchinji and one each from Chiradzulu, Chitipa, Dedza,
Ntchisi, Phalombe, and Rumphi districts while two imported cases are new refugees at Dzaleka Refugee Camp in Dowa District.
Cumulatively, Malawi has recorded 8,575 cases including 225 deaths and of these cases, 1,678 are imported infections and 6,896 are locally transmitted.
Coronavirus alert
Cumulatively, 5,824 cases have now recovered, 134 were lost to follow-up, and 76 are still being investigated to ascertain their outcome.
On testing, in the past 24 hours, 2,258 COVID-19 tests were conducted, 147 of the new tests were through SARS-COV-2 Antigen Rapid Diagnostic test while the rest were through RT-PCR and cumulatively, 94,601 tests, have been conducted in the country so far.
Dr. Phuka said he joins Lazarus Chakwera to request every one to act collectively to stop the further spread of COVID-19.
“In his radio address, His Excellency also called upon the public to ensure that we are keeping each other safe by obeying guidelines, including early closures of drinking places and restrictions on public gatherings, which many are still violating.
“Let me emphasize that the choices that we make as individuals, families and communities will make the disease to spread further or to stop spreading.
“In as much as health care workers are doing a commendable job in this pandemic, we can ease their pressure of work and save the limited resources if we all choose to strictly adhere to the preventive and containment measures.
Coronavirus alert
“The best time to act is now before the system gets overwhelmed. The most important preventive measures we should implement are observing physical distancing, hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette including proper wearing of facemask and ensuring adequate ventilation when having activities indoor.
“These measures are essential for reducing the spread of COVID19. Everyone must continue taking steps to protect themselves and others from COVID-19 transmission.
“Watch your distance! Wash your hands! Wear your mask! Seek for care early upon development of symptoms of COVID-19.”
Coronavirus alert