Botswana’s COVID-19 daily infection rate stands at 120 cases according to the latest update by the Task Force. The country recorded 367 new cases in three days between October 14 and 16, 2020. Of all the latest numbers border gates only recorded 7 with 360 being local transmissions. The total number of recorded cases in Botswana stood at 5,609 with over 3000 active active cases.
Deputy Coordinator of the Task Force Professor Mosepele Mosepele however said the figure of active cases he presented was not scientifically plausible, saying they would have to revisit the numbers. The country also recorded another COVID-19 death of a woman in the North East region who Mosepele said had breathing difficulties prior to her passing. He said most of the 21 cases of Coronavirus deaths recorded died because they could access available medical resources like ventilators. “By the time we realise somebody has coronavirus it is usually too late to do anything about it,” Mosepele told the nation on Monday.
He said some have been diagnosed posthumously. Gaborone remains the epicentre of Botswana’s COVID-19 infections, accounting for at least 85 percent of cases. Lobatse, Mochudi, Molepolole, Kanye are some of the most affected places, Mosepele has said. He called on residents to take more responsibility in curbing the spread of the virus. Local transmissions are now at their highest. Mosepele said more needs to be done to flatten the curb. He said every region in the country has recorded cases of the virus.
President Mokgweetsi Masisi recently warned 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.
He said COVID-19 had become a national health and security threat. He said more than ever, it has become necessary to strengthen Botswana’s response to the pandemic given the country’s 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.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health Kabelo Ebineng also echoed President Masisi’s concerns recently. He reminded 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.”