Continue observing Covid-19 measures, Malawians told
Public health experts and health rights activists have encouraged Malawians to continue observing Covid-19 precautionary measures despite Ministry of Health easing some of the restrictions put in place to contain the further spread wave in about two or three months and ensure there is everything that needs to be done to prepare for the fourth wave.”
Bandawe said it is important that many people get vaccinated since it is one of the most effective ways to deal with the pandemic.
In a separate interview yesterday, Health and Rights Education Programme executive director Maziko Matemba said the ministry should strive to reach out to many Malawians to vaccinate them.
He said: “Reaching out to all people to get vaccinated is an important task that government needs to invest in making sure that community health workers are doing the needful in vaccinating the eligible targeted group.
“We also need to join hands for the country to meet that important goal for protecting all Malawians.”
During a news conference in Blantyre on Saturday, Chiponda said the easing of restrictions follows a progressive downward trend on the number of new confirmed Covid-19 cases, those admitted to treatment units, deaths and positivity rates over the past three weeks.
However, she said people are still expected to observe other preventive measures, adding that all contacts of confirmed Covid-19 cases should be traced, tested and self-quarantined for 14 days.
According to the Public Health Institute of Malawi (Phim), the overall positivity rate is currently at 6.3 percent while the weekly positivity rate is at five percent.
As of Saturday, cumulatively, 396 159 tests were conducted and a total of 937 856 vaccine doses were administered. A total of 2 236 deaths were recorded as of Saturday while 50 312 recoveries were recorded.
The country has so far received a total of 1 409 440 assorted vaccines that have been provided by the Covax Facility, a global initiative that seeks to secure equitable access to vaccines.
As of yesterday, a total of 2 238 deaths were recorded and 396 422 tests conducted. While 86 people are currently admitted in treatment units, 50 384 people have so far recorded out of a total 61 113 cumulative confirmed cases.
