President Lazarus Chakwera says he is worried with the ever-rising cases of Covid-19 in the country and has asked people to adhere to public health guidelines to fight the pandemic.
In a brief national address yesterday, the President lamented that most people relaxed on observing Covid-19 precautionary measures, especially during the Christmas and New Year festive season; hence, the country is now paying the price.
While conceding that he was among the people who relaxed in the fight against Covid-19, Chakwera said the country cannot continue to relax in the fight against the pandemic because lives are being lost.
Chakwera was recently faulted for disregarding Covid-19 precautionary measures during his interaction with United States of America pop star Madonna at Kamuzu Palace. Pictures from the meeting showed the President and Madonna interacting without wearing face masks. They were also seen shaking hands and not observing physical distancing.
In his address yesterday, the President said: “The speed at which the virus has been spreading since Christmas is very disturbing. Sixty-six new infections were recorded between Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
“Within a fortnight, over 1500 new infections have been confirmed, which is an average of over 120 new infections every day. This is putting too much pressure on our health system and health workers. This cannot be allowed to continue.”
Chakwera asked Malawians to go into self-isolation and consult healthcare workers if they notice Covid-19 symptoms.
The virus that causes Covid-19 is mainly transmitted through droplets generated when an infected person coughs, sneezes or exhales, according to multiple sources, including the World Health Organisation.
People with Covid-19 show a wide range of symptoms, ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. The symptoms may appear between two and 14 days, according to the Centres for Disease Control (CDC).
CDC cites Covid-19 symptoms as including fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty in breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting and diarrhoea.
During his address, the President said everyone was at risk of contracting Covid-19. He said Cabinet ministers, members of Parliament, civil servants, the media, opposition party members, the clergy and many others have been affected.
He said: “The virus does not care if you have a lot of money. The virus does not care if you are good-looking. The virus does not care if you are young. The virus does not care if you are educated or whatever position you hold.
“The virus has now affected all sectors of the society. Everyone is at risk.”
The President, who said he was going into a 21-day fasting and prayer programme, said Malawians should also put their faith in God. He urged people to intensify prayers for God to heal the country.
Chakwera also directed the Ministry of Homeland Security and Ministry of Health to ensure that the public health guidelines in place are being enforced.
In an interview, Minister of Homeland Security Richard Chimwendo said in terms of human resource, the ministry has the capacity to enforce the public health guidelines.
But the minister was non-committal on the financial resource aspect.
He said the police have already started enforcement, but with focus on sensitisation.
Chimwendo-Banda said people should understand that they need to first adhere to the guidelines.
He said: “The point is not to make several arrests to fill up cells. People need to understand first.
“For instance, if officers come across a minibus carrying people that are not wearing face masks, they will ask them to wear masks. The minibus will only be allowed to proceed after people put on masks.”
The minister also said they were banking on the understanding of Malawians, saying that by now everyone is aware that the disease is causing havoc.
He said the situation has not reached the point of engaging Malawi Defence Force in the enforcement.
Malawi Health Equity Network executive director George Jobe observed that enforcement of the guidelines has always been a challenge and will remain a challenge if the country does not handle the issue seriously.
He said enforcement needs a lot of money as those responsible need fuel and other things to move around.
Jobe asked people to take personal responsibility, saying the police alone cannot enforce the guidelines as evidenced by the overloading of minibuses, people ignoring face masks and lack of observing physical distancing of at least one metre apart.
“Only airports are doing a good job in ensuring that measures are enforced. We also have to commend health workers who are risking their lives managing the situation. The same goes to Immigration officials and others handling returnees.
“But in general we are not doing well on enforcement. People are still gathering in large numbers at funerals, we have seen four people still sharing a seat in a minibus,” he said.
Covid19 cases worsened after the festive season. Prior to the festive season, government came up with measures such restricting public gatherings to not more than 100 people and closure of land borders to prevent further spread.
From less than 120 active cases in mid-December, the country now has 2 000 active cases while the death toll cumulatively reached 220 with 12 reported on Saturday.
