Malawi keeps schools shut as cholera deaths surge

It emerged that Malawi delayed the opening of public schools in Blantyre and Lilongwe because of cholera deaths. Health Minister Khumbize Chiponda said that the total number of cases has surged to 17,824 and the number of deaths to 595 since cases were first reported in March. “Due to the continuing increase of cholera cases and deaths in the cities of Blantyre and Lilongwe, primary and secondary schools in the two cities will not start on 3rd January as earlier advised,” he added.