Botswana’s COVID-19 case fatality rate (CFR) stood at 0.3 percent as at October 26, 2020. The CFR represents one death per every 240 cases according to the most recent update by the COVID-19 Task Force.
The country had recorded a total 6,939 cases confirmed cases by October 26, with 4,597 recoveries and 24 deaths. Against the total number (5,568) of residents who tested positive for the virus, the CFR rises to 0.4 percent.
The rate of recovery stood at 83 percent. Of the 6,939 cases recorded in Botswana, 1,371 were recorded at ports of entry and sent back to their respective countries.
Botswana recorded a total of 297 confirmed cases in the two days between October 25 and 26 with only 14 of the cases recorded at the border gates. The total cases from the most recent update represents a drop in daily confirmed cases with 148 cases per day, as compared to 180 cases per day from the previous update of October 23 and 24, 2020.
There were 359 cases recorded on October 23, 24 bringing the daily infection rate from a previous 120 cases per day to roughly 180 infections. It represented a 50 percent rise in daily infections.
There were no deaths reported in the most recent update. The number of fatalities remained at 24. In one of his most recent updates national Task Force Deputy Coordinator Professor Mosepele Mosepele said the youngest of those who succumbed to the virus was a three month old baby while the eldest was 90. Most of the patients who died from the virus, Mosepele said, were over the age of 60. Mosepele has advised that behavioural change is the key to reducing the spread of the virus. He said it was important to change lifestyles and abide by COVID-19 protocols. The Professor said the most affected age group in terms of confirmed cases were those between 25 and 45 years old. He said while this group are the most likely to survive the virus it is important to ensure they do not infect those in the most vulnerable groups such as those over 60 years, and infants.
The Deputy Coordinator said they have found that in households where one tests positive at least half the family also gets infected. He said they have seen instances where an entire family is infected with the virus.
He said the infections usually occur in communal spaces like sitting rooms, dining rooms, kitchens, and bathrooms. Enclosed public spaces, Mosepele said, are also dangerous.
Mosepele said they would be conducting an analysis of the rate of infection to explain the current curve.
Gaborone remains the epicenter of Botswana’s COVID-19 infections, accounting for a significant majority of cases. Lobatse, Mochudi, Molepolole, Kanye are some of the most affected places. Local transmissions are now at their highest. Mosepele has said more needs to be done to flatten the curve. Growing numbers indicate the country is far from flattening of the curve.
