Minister warns coronavirus could kill 50 000 in Malawi

Public enemy  coronavirus  could kill about 50 000 in Malawi and  the  killer virus could potentially infect 85 percent of the country’s population currently at   17.5 million  if Covid-19  were to hit the country for a year, Minister of Health and Population Jappie Mhango has said.

Minister Mhango: Warns of Coronavirus impact.-Photo by Lisa Kadango

The minister offered a grim prediction on Monday when he fronted the news conference in Lilongwe to update the nation of Covid-19 as chairperson of the Special Cabinet Committee of the virus pandemic.

He announced the country has recorded a fifth case of Covid-19 – a respiratory illness especially dangerous to older people and those with health problems.

Mhango said despite low statics of recorded cases of Covid-19, the trajectory of the pandemic will change – and dramatically for the worse – if people ease up on social distancing or relax with other precautions.

“If the disease was to hit the country for a year, 85 percent of people will be infected with Lilongwe being the hardest hit,” said Mhango.

“Over 85 percent or 16 million people will become infected over one year,” said the Minister of Health.

He said of those infected, “it is anticipated that 483 000 people will be hospitalised and 85 000 people will be in critical condition in need of critical care and up to 50 000 people could die directly from Covid-19.”

However, World Health Organisation bosses urged against “throwing around figures that there is no basis for”.

WHO director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the epidemic poses a “very grave threat” to the entire globe.

He said: “To be honest, a virus is more powerful in creating political, economic and social upheaval than any terrorist attack.

“A virus can have more powerful consequences than any terrorist action.

“If the world doesn’t want to wake up and consider this enemy virus as Public Enemy number 1, I don’t think we will learn from our lessons.”

There are growing fears that the pandemic will cause major challenges for Malawi’s under-resourced health services.

President Peter Mutharika has not ruled out imposing a lockdown to confine all but essential workers to their homes.

Mutharika declared a state of disaster on March 23 to combat the virus. Schools are closed and the government says it is urging people to work from home and follow hand-washing and social-distancing guidelines.

All social gatherings of more than 100 people, such as funerals, church services and political rallies, have been banned.

Mutharika said government will continue monitoring and review situation as it unfolds warning that “more comprehensive measures may be imposed.”

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Paul
Paul
3 years ago

Statistics do not lie…between China, Italy, Germany, France, UK, USA and Spain some 900000 are infected with a death toll of 65000 (nearly a full old Kamuzu Stadium). This is a highly infectious virus and people should take and follow guidance given them. Based on movement and contact, it is possible for a single carrier to infect more people with those people infecting others. The virus can survive for nearly a week on contaminated person, clothing or any surface such as products, trollies, car and bus seats. When contaminated hands are used to wipe the face, the virus finds its… Read more »

Sillica Gell
Sillica Gell
3 years ago

Tose ise tikulemba nakuwelenga pano pa nyasa times tili vindele vakufikapo!!!

Nambewe
Nambewe
3 years ago

Tizichila

Nambewe
Nambewe
3 years ago

Tizichila not kufa

Mtete
Mtete
3 years ago

Don’t trust the APM appointed ministerial Committee on Covid 19. It is too partisan, not working in the interest of the Nation.

A committee comprising Professionals would have been ideal. After failing to dupe the population with the ID Cards buying, the committee has resorted to scaring people so that they keep away from voter registration. The committee is having too many meetings, earning huge and obscene allowances in the process and strategising on how to rig the coming election.

Where is Mhango getting all the statistics?

Nalingula
Nalingula
3 years ago

We needed a Doctor to explain more to Us …i.e. Is that projection based on the fact that 1 million people are HIV positive in this country ….While in the West apart from Age underlying health conditions which have contributed to Corona Deaths include …Cardiovascular complications,hypertension ,diabetis,obesity ,cancer etc what are the likely underlying health conditions to contribute to high death rates ,is it malnutrition,hiv….How are the vulnerable groups going to be protected etc…Are vulnerable people aware and therefore taking precautionary measures etc

Mpakateni
3 years ago

The most stupid Minister of today. His home the north has no testing centre. For the sake of money he is quite, he cant push for it because he fears for his job, Let me warn you. People have all along been asking you to improve the heath care system in the country, but you ignored all those calls because you and your friends go abroad when you fall sick. Now the borders have closed, take care once you and malume akowo fall sick you will dies here. We need good policies where water should now be free until the… Read more »

vindele
3 years ago
Reply to  Mpakateni

You can say that again my bro.

Bwana Wa Ulesi
Bwana Wa Ulesi
3 years ago

Critics everywhere…….bwanji amalawi osangokhala chete if u don’t wanna comment…..Sometimes you should be attentive to details…..”Were to hit for a YEAR” That’s what the Minister is saying.

H E Nyaphapi One
3 years ago
Reply to  Bwana Wa Ulesi

The minister is, was and will remain an idiot (albeit on taxpayers roll)!

Bauleni
3 years ago

You are a worse idiot for commentBig without tangible contributions.. just stupid words

chinyonyo1
chinyonyo1
3 years ago

when are you providing hand sanitisers, masks, soaps to the poor? Testing equipment and ventilators in the health centers? Thanks for the figures BUT they have succeeded in bringing more anxiety and frustration to Malawians

Nasingwe
Nasingwe
3 years ago
Reply to  chinyonyo1

kodi ndikaesa ati 20 ventilators zili kha ati ku mulanje/phalombe hospital.
aluona kuononga ndalama kugpeleka sanitizer.mukapeza ma sanitizer mmanyumba mwa mabwana.
what if we demamde the govt the chlorine sprays i places. munva.
AND AND AND ONCE ALL THIS IS OVER , EEEE MA NEW CARS, MA MANSIONS MMENE ZITATULUKILEMO.

OFCOIRSE AIDS MKATI

AMBUYE IDZANI

nachisale
nachisale
3 years ago

you stupid minister you are not God so just shut up your sticking mouth

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