Batswana have been left speculating about the status of COVID-19 infections in Botswana thanks to a two-week information blackout.
The COVID-19 Task Team communication desk have presumably gone on vacation. The nation waited with bated breath again this past Monday October 5, 2020 in the hope of finally receiving the latest coronavirus statistics again the Task Team were a no show.
Instead, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health Kabelo Ebineng used the weekly national television prime time opportunity to remind the nation about the existing COVID-19 regulations in relation to chill sessions, weddings and funerals.
“The fight against COVID-19 is not just the responsibility of the government but that of the entire nation. We are all at risk.”
But while Batswana may be keen on keeping the virus at bay, any motivation to keep safe may be defeated by the lack of crucial information about the extent of infections.
Without up to date information about the invisible enemy in COVID-19, Batswana remain sitting ducks. It remains unclear why the Task Team has lately been keeping the nation in the dark about the status of the pandemic in Botswana.
Latest news of the sacking of Director of Health Services Dr Malaki Tshipayagae has raised eyebrows about the state of affairs at the COVID-19 Presidential Task Force.
PS Ebineng confirmed Tshipayagae’s departure to this publication recently saying it was just one of a number of changes being effected at the Ministry of Health. The information blackout comes in the wake of warnings by the Task Team and President Mokgweetsi Masisi about the surge in Botswana’s COVID-19 infections.
“It is regrettable that we have of late experienced an exponential rise in local transmissions after the lifting of movement restrictions on 22nd May 2020, mainly, in the Greater Gaborone Zone. Particularly disturbing, is that from July to August 2020, the number of local transmission cases surpassed the number of imported ones,” Masisi told Parliament recently when making a case for his request for extension of the State of Public Emergency (SOE).
In what was the last up-date by anyone about the coronavirus crisis Masisi said other parts of the country have also started recording COVID-19 cases.
“Indeed, COVID-19 has now become a national health and security threat. Now more than ever, it has become necessary to strengthen our national response to the pandemic given our fragile and limited resources. As you will recall, the first case of COVID-19 in Botswana was recorded on 31st March 2020. From the 2nd April to 21st July, 2020, Botswana registered a total of One Hundred and Thirteen (113) cases and only one death. However, between 23rd July and 27th September 2020, we registered One Thousand, Nine Hundred and Sixty-Eight (1968) positive cases and sixteen (16) deaths, cumulatively,” the President said.
He said at the time that Botswana had tested a total of 197, 899 people, out of which, 194 188 tested negative. Out of this number, Masisi said, 3 16 711 people tested positive. The figures included Batswana, residents and foreign nationals.
“The number of suspected cases and contacts, currently stands at 187 446. In addition, there is a total of 10 740 people in quarantine. Most of these cases are concentrated in the Greater Gaborone Zone and have spread to other places, such as, Jwaneng and Francistown. The rise in the cases was fueled mostly by the movement of people and the failure to comply with COVID-19 regulations.”
The Presidential COVID-19 Task Force, chaired by the President, was established to coordinate all national activities pertaining to the containment and control of the pandemic. The Team comprises Cabinet Ministers, Senior Government Officials, health experts, scientists and communication specialists from Government, the Private Sector, Faith Leaders, Dikgosi, as well as the Labour Movements. The Team meets regularly to assess the status of the pandemic in Botswana and accordingly updates members of the public and other stakeholders.
Under the guidance and advice from the COVID-19 Team, Government declared the State of Public Health Emergency, followed by the Declaration of a six month State of Public Emergency with effect from midnight of 2nd April, 2020. Botswana is now under the second six month State of Public Emergency following Parliament approval recently. The SOE will last until March 2021, completing a whole 12 months under State of Emergency.
