BLANTYRE, Malawi, March 10 (Xinhua) -- The Blantyre District Health Office (DHO) has assured Blantyre residents of no confirmed case of COVID-19 in Blantyre, Malawi's second-largest city.
"There are no cases of COVID-19 in the city, furthermore the Blantyre DHO is working hand in hand with the Ministry of Health to ensure that the city is safe," said Director of DHO and Social Services, Dr G. Kawalazira in a statement.
The statement comes following rumours that the Mwaiwathu Private Hospital in Blantyre is keeping a 21-year-old lady who had arrived from China on Saturday and that she has been tested positive for COVID-19.
Kawalizira dismissed the rumors, saying the suspect had tested negative for COVID-19 both in China and in Malawi.
Dr Kawalazira also said that so far Blantyre and Malawi as a country have not yet detected any case of COVID-19 and that people should not panic because the government has put in measures that will ensure the safety of its citizens.
He also said that all suspected cases are put under isolation for possible observation until health officers are sure that the suspects are okay.
He further assured Malawians that Blantyre DHO will continue with a close follow-up on everyone from affected countries and the public will be updated on the test results for the suspects and further actions.
