Renson Mwakandana
Health Minister Khumbize Chiponda reported that 620 people had died in Malawi as a result of cholera since the epidemic started at the beginning of last year.
As of Monday, there had been a total of 18,222 confirmed cases of cholera, with 16,780 persons recovering and 822 remaining in treatment facilities.
According to a statement from Ms. Chiponda, the nation recorded a total of 409 new cases, 25 new fatalities, and 10 new suspected cases in the preceding 24 hours.
Since the first confirmed incidence of the disease in March in the Machinga area, “all 29 health districts have reported cholera cases,” she added.
The country’s administration earlier on Monday delayed the start of elementary and secondary schools in the districts of Blantyre and Lilongwe for at least two weeks.
The start of the new semester was originally scheduled for January 3, but the government was compelled to postpone those plans due to the outbreak of cholera and the rising number of cholera illnesses and fatalities.
The bacteria that causes cholera is often spread through contaminated food or water. It causes vomiting and diarrhoea and is particularly harmful for small children.
