LILONGWE, May 28 (Xinhua) -- Malawi has reported 102 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday, bringing the total number of infections to 203 with 4 deaths.
Ministry of Health and Population Services spokesperson, Joshua Malango, confirmed the development to local media Thursday saying the new cases are from samples taken on May 25 and May 26.
The news comes at a time when over 400 Malawians returning home from South Africa escaped from Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre where they were temporarily held upon arrival to have their samples analysed for COVID-19.
According to Malango, most of the new cases are from the Malawian returnees including those who escaped the temporary camp.
"Of the 102 confirmed cases, 92 have been recorded from Malawian citizens returning home from South Africa on hired buses. Seven positive cases have been confirmed from samples that were collected from truck drivers and other travellers at Mwanza Border while 3 other positives have been confirmed in Lilongwe," he said.
Meanwhile, authorities have come under heavy criticism for poorly managing the returnees who are now loose into the country's population of 18 million with little measures to restrict their movements.
The country is expecting 2,800 more returnees from South Africa between Thursday and Friday, increasing public panic at the time social distancing is not observed in the country as political campaigns continue to draw thousands together ahead of the presidential election in a month time. Enditem
