By Sarah Mlozoa

The Presidential Taskforce on Covid-19 has reiterated calls for concerted efforts as coronavirus death toll hits 136.

Co-chairperson of the taskforce Dr. John Phuka, said it is important that everyone takes the responsibility of ensuring they are being safe and protecting others from the pandemic.

As of August 5, 2020, Malawi registered 65 new Covid-19 cases, 31 new recoveries and eight new deaths.

“All 65 new cases are locally transmitted infections: 32 are from Blantyre, 22 from Lilongwe(one is a healthcare worker), five from Chikwawa, two from Chitipa, and one each from Karonga, Likoma, Phalombe and Zomba,” the taskforce said in a statement.

Malawi has so far recorded 4,426 confirmed cases including 136 deaths. Of these cases, 1,017 are imported infections and 3,409 are locally transmitted.

Currently 2,078 cases have now recovered bringing the total number of active cases to 2,212.

The country has so far conducted 32,680 tests in 45 Covid-19 testing sites.