During a news conference today (22/2/2020), the Ministry of Health Principal Secretary (PS) Dan Namarika announced 6 new coronavirus cases, bringing the total number case to 23.

According to Namarika, two of the cases just came into the country from abroad, while the rest of the cases have been traced between Kaliyeka Squatter Township and the populous ‘hood’ Area 25 in Lilongwe.

The new cases have been registered amidst a one week injunction against a nationwide lockdown directed by the government, as the Human Rights Defenders Coalition argued that the announced lockdown did not consider hand-to-mouth households, nor small and medium businesses. 

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health has raised concerns for highly populated areas such as the mentioned, which are likely to increase the number of cases soon.