Chairperson for the Coalition, Shouts Simenza was reacting to reports that health care workers are being harassed in the line of duty while ferrying COVID-19 dead bodies to respective areas across the country.

In Salima and Ntcheu for instance, Zodiak has it that health care workers were apparently stoned and chased by angry communities.

"As a coalition, we have reports of communities abusing health care workers while on duty in this COVID19 period.

The conduct is not acceptable at a time we are risking our lives in responding to the pandemic," said Simenza.

Simenza has since asked government for their protection or else will withdraw their workforce if swift action is not taken on the same.

Secretary for Health Dr. Charles Mwansambo has expressed concern with the issue at hand saying the ministry will intensify raising awareness on the pandemic to communities.

"If the trend continues, we will not sit back but seek law enforcement agencies' intervention," said Dr. Mwansambo.

So far, a total of 874 people have died of COVID-19 in the country.