The number of new coronavirus (Covid-19) cases have increased with eight more people in the past 24 hours, bringing the number of cases to 572.

Covid-19 Presidential Task Force co-chairperson Dr. Dan Phuka said in a statement that of the new cases, one is from Mzimba south and seven were identified at Mwanza port of entry during routine screening of people entering the country.

Meanwhile, Nurses and Midwives Council of Malawi has attributed the rising number of health workers infected with Covid-19 to lack of personal protective gear (PPEs).

Registrar of the Council Isabella Musisi said government needs to provide each and every Covid-19 frontline health worker with the PPEs.

"These frontline health workers are always with the COVID-19 patients 24 hours.