Covid-19 testing slows
Latest trends show that the country has been conducting fewer Covid-19 tests, which has resulted in reduced numbers of recorded new infections.
While previously an average 2 000 people would be tested for Covid-19 daily, new trends show that the tests have reduced to an average 1 000.
On February 10, at least 2 365 tests were done with 358 confirmed cases, the following day 1 713 tests were conducted resulting in 227 confirmed cases. Two days later, 2 030 tests were conducted and 360 cases were confirmed, while the following day, 1 444 tests were done with 247 new cases.
The country confirmed 158 new cases on February 14 from 963 tests, while on Monday this week, 929 tests were conducted resulting in 146 confirmed cases. On Tuesday, 1 364 tests were conducted, leading to 242 confirmed cases.
Ministry of Health spokesperson Joshua Malango said they are testing only those showing symptoms.
He said: “We are only testing those who are travelling, through contact tracing and those showing signs. We are not just testing everybody. Also note that the numbers were high previously because of people returning from South Africa. Not many are coming back now, so that also reduces the numbers.”
Meanwhile, Chitipa district director of health and social services Wilson Ching’ani said they are facing challenges in rural areas where there is resistance from people due to proximity with Tanzania.
He said: “We still have resistance from people in rural areas and in our case it is because of proximity to Tanzania. In that country, they think Covid-19 doesn’t exist, so people here also think the same way.
“But we are trying to intensify civic education so that people understand the gravity of the situation we are in, and the need to have these tests done to save lives. I’m sure after some time, people will understand what government is doing.”
In Rumphi, district hospital spokesperson Bwanalori Mwamlima said tests are taking place at the Boma, Bolero and Katowo health centres as well as David Gordon Memorial Hospital.
“We intensified civic education and when people come, before telling them to go for a test, we tell them the need for it,” he said.
A Covid-19 weekly situation report by the Public Health Institute of Malawi (Phim) shows that by February 14 2021, Blantyre had 9 532 confirmed cases, Lilongwe registered 6 538 cases, while Mzimba North had 1 682 cases.
Currently, 16 testing sites are using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), 39 have GeneXpert testing platforms (not being used because reagents are out of stock) and 201 are using antigen rapid diagnostic tests.
