Malawi reports first COVID-19 death
A 51-year-old Malawian lady of Indian origin who recently returned from the UK and was the 5th patient to test positive from COVID-19 has died in the early morning hours of today, Minister of Health Jappie Mhango has confirmed.
Mhango who made the announcement at a press briefing in Lilongwe, said the woman had other underlying medical conditions.
The minister also announced that there are three new confirmed cases of Covid-19 bringing the total number of Covid-19 cases to eight including one death. Out of the three cases, two are in Blantyre and one in Chikwawa.
“One case in Blantyre is a 34-year-old lady who came in contact with the first case that was registered on April 3 2020. The second case is a 28-year-old lady who travelled from London, UK on March 19 2020. The person confirmed in Chikwawa is a 30-year-old gentleman who travelled from South Africa on March 16 2020,” Mhango said.
Mhango further said the Blantyre District Health Office, Environmental Health Team is assisting with the burial arrangements of the deceased.
“As a nation, we grieve with the family of the deceased and I urge you all to respect their privacy. Please let us continue to observe the prevention guidelines we have put in place: regular hand washing, social distancing and avoiding handshakes and observe self-quarantine rules as provided if you have recently returned from a hot spot country,” said Mhango.
Over 1 360 000 people worldwide have been infected with COVID-19 which has killed over 76 000 people across the globe.
