Malawi coronavirus cases rise to 37, new patient in Mzuzu travelled from Tanzania
Minister of Health Jappie Mhango, has confirmed a new case of coronavirus in northern city of Mzuzu, bringing the total cases in Malawi to 37, including some recoveries and three deaths.
He said new case has been confirmed by a laboratory at Mzuzu Central Hospital.
“The person is a 40-year-old gentleman who returned from Mbeya, Tanzania on 27 April 2020,” said Mhango.
“On 28 April 2020, the village head was alerted that there was someone who just arrived from Tanzania. The village head instructed him to be on self-quarantine and alerted health officials at the same time.
“A sample was collected and came out positive for Covid-19. The person is however very well and has no any symptoms,” the minister told reporters.
He said health workers are tracing all the contacts of the person so that they can be isolated, followed up and tested for Covid-19.
Mhango said the local transmission is rising since the first case was detected on April 2 2020.
“This means the country, has now registered a total of 37 confirmed Covid-19 cases since the first case was reported on 2 April 2020. Of these cases, 7 have successfully recovered and are well, 3 lost their lives and 27 are still under management by the health system,” said the minister.
Meanwhile, Mhango has said government is committed to ensure that district health facilities are able to conduct coronavirus testing.
His comments comes after ministers and legislators from various parliamentary committees on Tuesday embarked on a two-day fact-finding mission on the state of preparedness to fight the pandemic at district level.
The tour exposed gaps in the preparedness, including shortage of staff and personal protective equipment for healthcare workers.
Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Bright Msaka, who toured health facilities in Zomba, said he was impressed to see fully equipped isolation centres and a testing laboratory at Chancellor College, a constituent college of the University of Malawi.
“At Capital Hill, we are only advised by health experts on what is being done on the ground. However, we said we could appreciate more when we visit the districts too,” he said.
Minister of Health has since urged people to continue observing preventive measures such as personal hygiene and social distancing.
Mhango also warned people to be careful as everyone is a suspect until they are tested.
So far, Lilongwe has registered 23 cases with two deaths while Blantyre has recorded nine cases with one death. Chikwawa, Zomba, Nkhotakota, Karonga and now Mzuzu have registered one case each, respectively.
On March 12 2020, World Health Organisation declared the Covid-19 outbreak a pandemic.
President Peter Mutharika on March 20 2020 declared a State of Disaster.
Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV :
Covid-19 is not just a health issue it is also a deep rooted economic issue. It is also showing the deficiencies in global leadership. Another glaring point is the mental colonialist ion of our minds. When the west locks down, we believe we have to lockdown in the same manner. Definitely there is more innovation that can be brought to the table to ably deal with our local conditions of the Corvid-19 pandemic. Keep in mind that our social nets are not adequate and we cannot afford to through too many billions of the tax payers kwachas at it, as… Read more »
We are still at 36, if at all, when you take out the Nkhotakota asthma sufferer.
The situation in Tanzania must be extremely bad if anyone coming from there tests positive.
COVID19 is a blessing in disguise to politicians and others, they are praying day and night for cases to rise so that they can get COVID19 funds
Let’s stop fooling ourselves by thinking that corona virus is only coming through borders. We have long started witnessing locally transmitted cases, its high time the country wakes up to this reality otherwise you will be woken up by mushrooming coffin workshops. Let’s start testing people who are within as well. Increase testing. Ever since corona came, can you tell me you have only tested 703 cases really? Let’s be serious country men!
Kodi this minister ntchito ndikumapanga ma updates basi? Akatelo kusolola ndalama za nkhaninkhani in the name of allowances
Makhobili amenewo ku Mzuzu uko Jappie Mhango. Wa wanyetsa ma allowance. Winanso ndani wa corona kumeneko. ma allowance muboma wapezeka. Amene saba ndalama mu boma umo abwera chabe yekha.
Panopa it is the North taking a centre stage, hope Kenyata, Trapence, Chakwera and Chilima arevery happy now, kukhwimira chisankho, nosense
Nanu inu kupusa bwanji.
One of the reasons for the injunction on the planned lockdown was said to be the welfare of Malawians who rely on businesses. Now people don’t travel to Tz for tourism. They travel to purchase goods for sale, so what will they be selling in the main markets that are still operating due to the injunction ? By extension boarders cannot be closed due to the injunction otherwise someone somewhere will run to Malume Kenyatta.
Lockdown failed completely thus good news and lets see what your peter will do because WAMUKANIRA. even awo amene kale timawopa lero timangokhutitsa mimba azikazi wao.
Ministers and others in Lilongwe Malawi are sticking riches. If you want to be rich in Malawi join politics of the ruling party then you will rich. I have a long list of names who have enjoyed Corona Virus money the lies of Dausi,Jappie Mhango, Ka botomani.Mr BENI eTC . MULUNGU ALIKO KUMWAMBAKU . yOU WILL be given new names like bingu mutharika to Daniel phiri