Deputy Coordinator of the COVID-19 Task Force Professor Mosepele Mosepele has said Botswana has recorded, on average, at least 10 Coronavirus cases per day between August 17 – 22 2020.
Updating the nation this week Mosepele said over 100 cases were recorded during the period under review.
He said however that the average daily number was a drop from the 23 that led to the Greater Gaborone Area lockdown following the major Mogoditshane outbreak.
At least 603 Batswana have tested positive for COVID-19 since the pandemic broke out early this year. Three people have succumbed to the virus so far. There are at least 401 active cases and 199 recoveries with over 100, 000 tests conducted.
Director of Health Services Dr Malaki Tshipayagae recently expressed concern over a surge in numbers of positive cases involving heath workers saying it will have a negative impact on the government’s efforts to contain the virus.
Both Princess Marina Hospital and Sir Ketumile Masire Teaching Hospital have recorded cases involving staff. Botswana recorded 94 cases between August 11 and 13, 2020 including 67 Batswana and 27 foreign nationals. Active cases have increased from 288 two weeks back to 401.
Recoveries have also increased by at least 40 in the same period. Over 900 cases involving foreign nationals have been transferred back to their respective countries.
Local transmission cases have grown significantly with the virus now beginning to spread across the country from Mahalapye to Maun. Gaborone remains the epicentre of the virus.
Authorities say failure by the general public to abide by the COVID-19 protocols remains the main cause of the spread. Social gatherings remain limited. Inter zonal movement is still restricted as a way to curb the spread.
