Malawi declares COVID-19 national disaster.

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    His Excellency the President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera has declared the Covid-19 crisis in Malawi a national disaster. The President has appealed to the world to help Malawi battle the crisis which is threatening to cripple its health services.

    By January 29, Malawi 23 020 cases, 7 815 recoveries and recorded 643 deaths. The crisis has peaked during a second wave with an average rate of 600 new cases recorded daily.

    The President ordered expansion of new COVID-19 19 isolation wards and a 300-bed isolation centre is set top open in Lilongwe by January 30, 2021. The other new centres will be in Blantyre, Lilongwe and Mzuzu.

    Government has also released K17 billion emergency funds to support efforts to fight COVID-19 19. Other measures include restriction of selling of alcohol, gatherings, and lockdown of land borders except for essential services.

    Malawi urgently needs support in the following areas:
    • Increasing healthcare capacity.
    • Protection of healthcare staff
    • Increasing oxygen production and equipment such as ventilators and oxygen cylinder
    • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
    • Increasing civic education and curbing of disinformation