LILONGWE, April 7 (Xinhua) -- Malawi has registered its first COVID-19 death, as the number of confirmed cases have now risen to eight, the country's Minister of Health and Population Services, Jappie Mhango, confirmed Tuesday.
The Minister told journalist in Lilongwe that the country has lost a 51-year-old Malawian lady who had just recently returned from the UK and she was the 5th patient to test positive for COVID-19.
"She had an underlying medical condition. Our Blantyre District Health Office's Environmental Health Team is assisting with the burial arrangements," said the minister, adding that the woman died during the early hours of Tuesday.
"As a nation we grieve with the family of the deceased and I urge you all to respect their privacy," added the health minister.
Mhango also disclosed that the country has registered 3 new cases bringing the total number to 8 in a space of five days since the country announced its first three cases on April 2.
"As a matter of an update on the COVID-19 situation, the country has today confirmed 3 new cases: two in Blantyre and one in Chikwawa," explained Mhango.
The minister has asked people to continue observing the prevention guidelines like, regular hand washing, social distancing, avoiding handshakes, and observe self-quarantine rules as provided .
