Tag Archives: John Phuka

Malawi

Nine new covid-19 recoveries confirmed in Malawi, caseload at 369

Maneno Chimulala
Dr. John Phuka: Co-chairperson of the Presidential Task Force for covid-19

BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)—New coronavirus recoveries have been confirmed in Malawi on Wednesday by the Covid-19 Taskforce.

The number of recoveries jumped to 51 from 42 following the confirmation.

According to the Taskforce, 11 new cases have also been recorded, taking the number of cases to 369.

Out of the 11 new registered cases announced, five are truck drivers identified at Mwanza border.

“Blantyre and Ntcheu have registered two cases each, Mangochi one case and Mzimba South District has reported the first case that is still being investigated to determine the source of infection,” said Taskforce chairperson John Phuka.

With the new cases, Malawi has now recorded 369 cases including 4 deaths.

Out of the 369 confirmed cases, 305 are imported infections and 56 are locally transmitted while 8 are still under investigation.

“Active tracing and monitoring of contacts of confirmed COVID-19 cases are ongoing, currently, a total of 703 contacts of COVID-19 cases have been traced out of which 472 have been tested,” said Phuka.

Malawi has so far conducted 5746 COVID-19 tests from 14 laboratories with the capacity to test COVID-19.

Testing of COVID-19 is also being expanded to district hospitals, and so far six hospitals – Mwanza, Neno, Dedza, Mchinji, Chitipa and Karonga District Hospitals – are ready to start testing.

Malawi

Covid-19 taskforce dismayed with politicians

Maneno Chimulala

By Our Reporter

Covid-19 taskforce dismayed with politicians

BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)—As politicians are conducting rallies ahead of the fresh election with no regard to covid-19 preventive measures, the newly formed Presidential Task Force on Covid-19 has asked them to protect themselves and their supporters from contracting novel corona virus (Covid-19), saying the ongoing election campaign gatherings are exposing people to the virus.

Speaking after its maiden meeting in Lilongwe yesterday, the task force said the majority of politicians who are campaigning are advanced in age and vulnerable to contracting the virus.

Briefing the media after the meeting, the task force’s co-chairpersons Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Development Joseph Mwanamvekha and dean of public health at College of Medicine John Phuka said the committee was dismayed with the conduct of politicians.

Phuka said apart from political gatherings, the committee shared a concern on religious gatherings and open markets as other areas which may frustrate the committee’s efforts.

“We are challenged with the political gatherings that are clearly against the strategies that we have as a committee on promoting physical and social distancing,” Phuka said.

He further said that the task force will engage both the politicians and concerned stakeholders to ensure a win-win situation. He emphasised that schools will not be open until such a time there is evidence of less risks to the transmission of the virus.

On his part, Mwanamvekha said the task force will be apolitical a move away from the previous one and that all decisions will be made through resolutions and communicated to the public.

He said the task force members agreed to be getting K40 000 per seating.