Malawi confirms three cases of coronavirus: President Mutharika calls for calm

April 2, 2020 Mike Fiko - Nyasa Times 72 Comments

Malawi has declared its first three confirmed cases of the deadly Coronavirus (Covid-19) following a statement from President Peter Mutharika on Thursday evening.

Mutharika: 3 confirmed cases of the virus in Malawi

Mutharika in a television broadcast said the three are a Malawian of Asian origin who travelled to India, her relative and their house maid marking the first confirmed cases of the novel virus in  country.

In a Special Address to the Nation that lasted one minute and 23 seconds monitored on Times TV, Mutharika said one of the patients is a 63-year-old woman.

The other two are her relation and her domestic worker.

Nyasa Times reporter earlier that Ministry of Health officials and medical staff wearing protective suits and face masks stormed the Area 9 residence of the family to carry the tests  including those of their workers at the servant quarters.

Mutharika said  the family has been quarantined to be treated and that medical officials will trace people who they have been in contact with to test them.

The President urgent the nation to “remain calm.”

Mutharika said he will announce new strict measures to prevent Covid-19 spreading.

Ministry of Health spokesperson Joshua Malango  said the country has adequate facilities, equipment and medication to handle the crisis.

“We now have started testing. We have also upgraded our laboratory. We are working with the College of Medicine. We have centres for Ebola cases which are fully equipped across the country, these are what we will use,” said Malango.

Covid-19 threat t has so far killed over 36 000 people and infected over 750 000 others worldwide.

On the other hand, Africa has since confirmed over 4 600 cases and over 140 deaths in 46 of the continent’s 54 countries.

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72 replies on “Malawi confirms three cases of coronavirus: President Mutharika calls for calm”

  1. We have one more case now total is 4 in Malawi. Zikachitika mumvera kwa ine.

  2. kodi $1.9 Billion yi ife as one of the poorest country tapasidwako zingati,
    profesa Getu apakulidwilako zingati??????

  5. It has bn revealed that someone lied about Corona in the country yesterday. Muluzi letter is seculating in social media about the strategy to use Corona as scape goat of creating panic in central region while mec is registering voters in Lilongwe.
    Then by the time he will say Corona is over mec will start registering in southern region so that few people should be registered in central than south.

    The one buying I’D cards has failed

  6. Dear fellow and well-meaning Malawians,
    I am writing to provide some suggestions to modalities of tackling a number of issues surrounding the Covid-19 pandemic.
    1. The government, just like other governments across the globe are doing, must engage the true technocrats on issues of human health and safety. Instead of pulling out all the relevant human resources comprising doctors, nurses, health and safety practitioners, the government is engaging Botoman, Dausi, Navicha and other people with no technical-know-how on systems management.
    2. Ophrah Winfrey of the USA has donated $10 million to the Food Fund, Patrice Motsepe has donated R1 billion, Other Billionaires IN South Africa have donated billions too. What are the stinking rich Malawians waiting for. I call upon each of the 194 Members of Parliament to contribute a minimum of MK1, 000, 000. Where is Mulli? Where is Tony Mpinganjira? Ben Phiri, Nankumwa, APM. The list goes on and on. What about companies? Let’s not just hide behind washing with soap ndi phulusa.
    3. Disperse all market vendors around some hot trading spots e.g. Lunzu, Vumbwe, Lizulu, Kampepuza, Chingeni, Chimwaza, Jenda, Mzuzu squatter market, Ekwendeni etc. Split market vending and shift it into mini markets in locations. People are forced to travel or visit markets in far locations where traders and consumers congregate. Why not bring the mini markets closer to mini consumers within the locations.
    4. Allocate 80% of tv and radio programmes to Covid-19 messages. Chotsani za ndale zanuzo.
    5. Allow for voluntary testing where possible. Extend the testing centres to all regions and districts
    6. Create phone-in programmes to tap more ideas from all Malawians. Zonse mukufuna mupange nokha.
    7. Promote hygiene in out towns
    8. Spray around all public amenities including ATM money machines.
    9. Let’s not wait for another case or death then decide to SWITCH ON THE BRAIN.
    10. Malawians let’s all be hygienic and enforce positive livelihood in our families.
    11. Let’s wear masks while strictly observing other rules as well. What is the point of washing your hands and wearing a mask while you are on your way to commit prostitution. Umenewu nde uCovid.
    12. Let’s repent and turn to Jesus Christ. I have mentioned Jesus because He is the only one i know.

  7. Joloza What are you talking about ? Are you on this earth ? Do you watch international news? In countries with very advanced health care systems people are dying in their hundreds in a day. Just this afternoon, the reports that are coming out of America are that 1000 people died in a day. This disease is not a joke. You cant say the disease is dying out. This is just the begining. More people are going to be infected if we don’t take drastic decisions and actions. Mind you, Malawi having a high population, we need to be serious and do the right things at preventing the virus from spreading. This disease can be a disaster for the country if we don’t take it seriously as you have shown in your statement.

    1. Don’t panic….If you analyse the Deaths in most of these Western countries i.e. Italy you note that most of the dead people are those over SIXTY years old ….those with pre existing conditions e.g. Heart conditions ,asthma etc .Italy has been hit hard because almost a Quarter of the Population is Old….and the resistance to antibiotics ….. (BBC) The Corvid Messages must Emphasise this ,Old People and those with Pre existing conditions- So that people know how to take care of themselves…..Otherwise just looking at the Numbers can Cause Panic….Anthu atowuzidwa zooona- Osakawaona Kaye makolo Anu Okalamba pa Easter- You can give them Corona which their weakened Immune System can’t Fight….

  8. Prevention is better than cure, Malawi’s authorities were waiting to register covid19 cases before they close boarders to prevent covid19 carriers from entering the country.

    MUVI OYANG’ANILA…….

  9. Joice Banda (AKA Mrs Chapaphewa) is now happy that Malawi has covid 19 cases. Paja akuti akufuna donor aid. Kaya mayi ameneyu amaganiza bwanji kaya!!!! She seems not to have the grey matter inside her head. That’s why during her acting presidency, she always used to say “azungu andiuza kuti…..”. A useless woman Joice Banda.

  10. Dan Namarika, recall that you told us from the districts that District reporters should not be given any allowances, they will work as volunteers while you will be chewing K16 billion with your masters. Now, the Corona is here, find your reporters to do reportring without allowances.

  11. How can there be calm when the government is deliberately misleading its citizen? We are told that the lady was under self-quarantine yet she passed on the virus to other people. What kind of quarantine is that one? Our hospitals are not well equipped at all. There are only 3 (yes just 3) full body suits at one of the major referral hospital. The government should have done more to prevent this from happening because prevention is much much cheaper than cure.

  12. I don’t know why we are undermining ourselves that we can’t overcome Covid 19. When shall we trust ourselves as Malawians as capable people who can handle any situation no matter how difficult it can be? Our medical staff has enough expertise to overcome Covid 19. Let’s stand with them as we follow health guidelines to overcome come Corona. Together we are a team and together as Malawi we have overcome Corona virus. Corona is fading away. What we see is smoke the fire is already gone.

    1. Mr joloza I don’t know which planet you are staying in we Malawians we cant do shit. We totally rely on others to bail us out financially and technically. We are so laid back and lazy that we only start building bridges when the floods have already come . In the government hospitals we steal medicine and sell it to the vendors at fraction of the price. Total disregard for the sick and the most vulnerable . Let’s hope and pray that there are no more cases of the virus otherwise there will be total chaos as we do not have the resources to tackle the virus.

      .

  14. I remember when the immigration quarantined some asians, a certain learned lawyer or judge ruled against that. May he now come and give us a wise way forward. Sometimes we can be educated but not wise than a village headman.

  15. COVID-19 required effort and commitment from each and every Malawian. Let us leave politics aside. God is with us and we will pass through this by his grace.

  17. I am sad that our poor country has registered COVID-19.

    That said, I am happy that is has started with Area 9.I own a motor cycle which run of of fuel when I went to drop mail in Area 9 around 6.30 pm in 2018. Koma the the tough PMF guys were called that the biggest thief had been marooned in Area 9.They came and slapped me left right and center.After 15 minutes, a colleague who brought me fuel on his Kabaza brought the fuel whilst I was surrounded by anzathuwa and heavily armed PMF. Tonse tivutika and given the way we are not serious with life, zigwe pano nzatonse.

    This thing will not allow us to fly out of the country for treatment! Tizimpemphera.

  19. This message coming from this old Mafia s mouth ??? I won’t believe it!!! There’s some thing here why announcing him self ?? Where is that stupids boy you called him Ng’ambe Kalirani? I’m repeating again there’s some thing good for this old man to this out break and I don’t believe for what ever coming from his mouth for him you will know the truth for sure

  20. I was happy to hear that there were no confirmed cases of Covid 19 in Malawi, but my happiness was short lived, l feel for my country because we are so poor that if they don’t contain the Covid 19 than Malawi prepare yourselves for a national disaster. Please listen to the authorities. Stay at home, wash your hands and dont go to church and listen to the fake pastors telling you that it’s nothing, trust me it’s something and something big. Pass valid information to those with no access to the Internet for information and educate those who don’t know it.

    1. as some fake pastor in Nigeria said it will go on the 27 march and another said end of march and was sayin it in a packed church of their followers. truly people are lazy instead of gathering your family in your huoses, relax, read ,share and pray together to God. brain washed followers,enriching their pastors.
      today!!! its business

  21. I’m a Malawian living in Dubai, guys if you just follow what the government says or the WHO say we might make it, its important to wash your hands, cleaning your shoes before entering in your house. It’s even advised to leave your shoes outside than get bleach and water to clean the bottom of your shoes. This virus is not a joke.
    Avoid crowded places, l know it sucks to be indoors and it’s sad for the poor but trust me it will save your life.

    If Dubai can close Mosque than you will understand the magnitude of this disease. Everything is closed in Dubai. So listen to the authorities and follow the rules

    China has contained the virus because they listened to the authorities. This thing is real. Just think how poor our country is,, if it hits us because we failed to listen it will be a disaster.

  22. I think Malawi has no people who can effectively work to control serious cases like this, the borders were to be sealed to prevent this pandemic now it is in most of people will die just for nothing
    .. shame

  23. Not worthy to be insulting and fighting each other with words.
    Lay down and meditate, for it was written.

  26. People of malawi take care of yourself and your families. stay at home and don’t go outside without any reason and when you back from your offices use senitizer, Stay blessed, healthy and pray.

  28. We as Malawians of all races should do our own bit to prevent the virus. That means social distancing washing hands and take it seriously as this virus is indiscriminate. It can affect any one.

    1. The woman should have been put under forced quarantine for 14 days as soon as she entered the country

      1. Yes, i dont know why they let her to isolate by herself.now see the out come.indians are roode they dont listen.now ayika miyoyo ya anthu osalakwa pa chisweeee

  30. Very sad indeed ,this woman was allowed to mingle around with others before 14 days quarantine period, how come the government health worker’s accepted her to quarantine at her home? Thats why we are saying we don’t have government, full of corrupt workers, the fish starts totting from the head ,

      1. Maiko amene anthu amawapanga self-quarantine amakhala kuti anthuwo ali responsible. Imagine munthu kukhala pa quarantine nkumamulola maid wako kudzagwira ntchito. Is that being responsible?

        1. Public health staff should have reinforced that no one was in contact with the quarantined person as well. This is sign of failure on their part . There will be so many cases traced to this source I believe . I feel sad for the poor house maid.

          1. let alone lots of public health staff in the country.anyway paja pitala waas saying its a chinese disease,eish

        3. Namkhwani even the UK was on self quarantine. Are they responsible? We’re they not shown drinking in pubs after Boris ordered them to self isolate mxiii

      2. @kuswa kumaganiza nawe usadapange comment. nanga uti chanino mmene @Namnkhwani wakuyankhira pansipa?

  31. Our porous borders mix our unpatriotic judge kenyatta equals disaster. Just send them to live with learned judge kenyatta

  33. This is quite a sad development.
    Please be diligent and look after yourselves. Isolation and lockdown is going to be a challenge in our country where the majority of us are on A hand to mouth plan and we must seek food on a daily basis. Please take precaution and let’s pray for our nation.

    I have a safety guide video which I have found very helpful. If anyone is interested, drop me your whatsapp number and I will share it with you – hoping you will also find it useful.

    Much love to all Malawians – Sons and Daughters of burning fire.

    1. This is no joking matter. This disease can come even for you and your family. These are the times to realise that indeed we are nothing.

  35. It was just a matter of time…. too bad for our impoverished nation..hope it wont spread so much..

    1. Sad news and blame goes to these greedy leaders who like to enrich themselves living us stranded without materials in hospitals. To them it is not a loss coz they go elsewhere.Stupid fools and hippocrates

  38. Ma Judge, ndiye mwakhulupilira kuti Coronavirus is real. This fool who wanted Children to go back to school MUST RESIGN

    1. kuno saacita resign tu paja, mpamene amapatsidwa kaya titi kukwezedwa pa mpando.
      not in this country where a local person is nothing.
      kukanakhala kwaazathu kwa azunguku, he would have regret what his tongue and stinky mouth said while he resign by the end of that day due to the amount of the angry public due to his nonsense statement.
      kuno aombeledwa mmanja ma pedegu amenewa

      1. at least sold off.
        am sure the donated items for China may have been diverted incase the big people get ill 5hen can be used.
        or given to preferred hospitals or just kept behind doors for future use in private clinics for biggies.
        the donation is far much a touch incase we get hit.
        enafe mungoti asiyeni afe awa.
        visited QeH ICU mwina cifukwa ca mantha I only saw 4 Ventilators.
        zkomo

      1. This is a disaster… More than the recent floods in Karonga. The minister responsible shd visit the family and do the needful.

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