UNICEF Malawi COVID-19 Situation Report 22 July

Highlights

• Malawi is experiencing a rapid acceleration of COVID-19 cases and the number of fatalities increasing by over 82 per cent within a period of nine days. The Ministry of Health, through the case management technical committee, has identified the need for death audits to inform the next plan of action to reduce COVID-19 related fatalities.
•  UNICEF support to laboratory personnel at six testing sites by providing them overnight expenses to collect and test samples from 595 returnees who were being held at Nalikule and Machinga institutional quarantine centres, have helped to reduce testing turnaround time from 48 hours to 12 hours.
•  In contribution to infection and prevention control efforts, UNICEF continues to provide WASH services and supplies at returnee holding centres. So far 945 returnees have been provided with soap for handwashing and personal hygiene. Also, backup water supply was provided for 267 returnees at the Machinga returnee screening centre during the reporting week.