COVID-19 AND CHOLERA CASES COULD SPIKE AGAIN, THE MINISTER OF HEALTH HON KHUMBIZE KANDODO CHIPONDA MP WARNS
Government of Malawi through the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 and Cholera urged the people in the country to sustain high levels of hygiene and sanitation at all times to completely eradicate the outbreaks. The Hon Minister said this during a press conference on Tuesday 16th August 2023 at the Ministry Headquarters in Lilongwe.
Speaking as she updated the nation on the current cholera situation in the country, the Hon Minister observed that the number of cases on daily basis had now significantly declined.
“Up to this day, 26 out of the 29 health districts have managed to control the outbreak,” Hon Chiponda said.
In light of this data, the Hon Minister disclosed that the PTF on COVID-19 and Cholera resolved that the cholera outbreak is no longer a public health threat.
“this decision is in line with the national public health emergencies grading and the World Health Organization classification for public health threats,”she clarified.
During the meeting, the Honourable Minister disclosed that government will continue implementing various cholera preventive interventions including administration of oral cholera vaccine. This will be carried out in cholera hot-spot areas.
She further said as of 14th August 2023 the country had registered a cumulative total of 58,989 cases including 1,768 deaths. And there have been a massive decline in new cases of COVID-19.