Health rights activist, George Jobe, a member of the presidential task force tasked to manage the pandemic in Malawi blames the development on laxity among most Malawians.

HE says citizens are no longer strictly adhering to Covid-19 prevention public health guidelines.

As of July 1, 2020 the Public Health Institute of Malawi (PHiM) of the ministry of health has indicated that from 551 twenty four hours ago there are now 581 local infections.

A statement signed by chairperson for the presidential taskforce on COVID-19 Dr. John Phuka says there have been 41 new corona virus cases taking the total number of infections in the country to 1265 since April this year.

“As local transmission …is on the rise in our country, I would like to encourage everyone to wear a cloth mask whenever you are going into crowded places.

“Medical masks must always be used when taking care of Covid-19 suspected people,” says Dr. Phuka.

But rights activist, Jobe, is of the view that there is need for authorities to ensure strict compliance to coronavirus preventive measures and raise awareness on COVID-19.

“We need to go back to the people and tell them that COVID-19 is real by teaching them the basics. We know Malawi was in a difficult time where we had elections and the pandemic on the other hand.

“Some did not observe preventive measures of COVID-19 and others disregarded social distance, but all that is gone we need to be vigilant” said Jobe.

Out of the 1265 confirmed COVID-19 cases as of July 1 2020 in Malawi, 639 infections have been are imported while 581 have been locally transmitted. 16 people have died to the pandemic while 226 has recovered since the first reported case in April, 2020.

The Ministry of Health is currently investigating 45 suspected cases.