Malawi now has 34 cases of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) global pandemic following the confirmation of a new case at Mpata in Karonga District, Ministry of Health has said.
Briefing the media in Mzuzu yesterday, Minister of Health Jappie Mhango said the patient, aged 27, recently travelled from Tanzania where “he was residing”.
“Upon his arrival, he went into self-quarantine on advice from our health experts. Six days down the line, he developed some signs and he invited our team to visit him.
“We got samples and tested them at Mzuzu Central Hospital where the results came out positive,” said the minister who is also chairperson of the Special Cabinet Committee on Coronavirus.
From the 34 cases, three have recovered and another three have died.
Mhango said his ministry is also monitoring about 7 000 individuals who recently arrived from abroad.
“All these are being monitored and, where necessary, tests are conducted,” he said.
Mhango appealed to Malawians not to continue life as usual now across the country’s three administrative regions. Lilongwe is the epicentre of Covid-19 in the country with 22 cases followed by Blantyre with eight while Chikwawa, Nkhotakota, Zomba and Karonga have one case each. that the cases are spread
He said: “This virus is among us. It is, therefore, very important that we continue enforcing measures that government put in place as a way of containing its spread.”
Mhango said some of the precautionary measures include hand washing with soap, social/physical distancing and limited travel.
During the pr e s s briefing, the minister was accompanied by Mzuzu Central Hospital director Dr. Frank Sinyiza. The two did not entertain questions from the media.
