Authorities in the country have cautioned people not to relax Covid-19 preventive measures following a spike in cases for the past week.

Figures from the Ministry of Health show that cumulatively, the country has registered 70 new Covid-19 cases and two deaths in the past five days.

A health worker administers a Covid-19 jab

Minister of Health Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda announced the increase in cases on Saturday.

She said the average weekly positivity rate has moved from below one percent to 2.50 percent.

In an interview on Sunday, Malawi University of Science and Technology microbiologist Gama Bandawe said the Covid-19 pandemic has become seasonal in Malawi, appearing in the middle of the year when it is cold and towards the onset of the rainy season.

He said the rise in cases has been triggered by the Omicron virus BA4 and BA5 reported in South Africa and other Northern Hemisphere countries.

Said Bandawe: “We need to be vigilant, get vaccinated and follow preventive measures.

“The virus is seasonal, and it has become a trend that twice a year we face new waves. Let us not relax. Variantsare re-infecting people and there is still a chance that you can get severe infection and long-time effects such as hypertension and other long-term breathing problems, including heart complications.”

Chiponda, however, acknowledged challenges in Covid-19 vaccination, saying Malawians, particularly those aged between 12 and 17, are not coming forth to get vaccinated.

She said: “Vaccination continues to be administered steadily although not at the desired pace. Our biggest drawback is the 12-17 years age cohort which is delaying to access the Pfizer vaccine.

“Those who have already had their vaccine in this age group need to rise up, encourage and motivate their peers to get their jab.”

On vaccination, the ministry reports that 1 139 589 have been fully vaccinated while 1 216 742 have received the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine.

On the other hand, the country is also experiencing a rise in cholera cases, with Chiponda announcing that cases have risen to 227, including 10 deaths, drawing case fatality rate to 4.40 percent.

The affected districts are Nsanje with 104 cases and six deaths, Neno with 43 cases and one death, Blantyre has 57 cases and two deaths, Machinga has two cases, Chikwawa has 20 cases and Mulanje and one case.

Said Chiponda: “There is urgent need to improve access to safe water and coverage on sanitation, risk communication and community engagement.

“Oral cholera vaccine wherever possible, should be administered to supplement the core cholera prevention and control intervention.”

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