10 Mar 2020

Botswana hopes to be equipped to carry out coronavirus related laboratory sampling locally by Friday.

 This was said by Minister of Health and Wellness Dr Lemogang Kwape in an interview  on Monday.

  Dr Kwape said the ministry was working round the clock to equip some local laboratories with state-of-the-art equipment to enable local screening for the virus.

He said samples would no longer be sent to South African laboratories adding the move would result in curbing the possible spread of the virus.

Minister Kwape assured the public of government’s readiness to control  COVID-19 amid reports of the outbreak in neighbouring countries.

The ministry, he said, was intensifying preparedness measures including surveillance, alertness at district level and ports of entry following coronavirus outbreak particularly in South Africa.

As of yesterday, South Africa has confirmed that seven suspects have tested positive for the virus.

Dr Kwapa stressed the need to act swiftly in ensuring Botswana’s readiness should there be any suspected case.

He said all stakeholders at ports of entry had been trained in hygiene and infection control while health personnel had received comprehensive training.

More precautionary measures were being deployed in the busiest land border posts between Botswana and South Africa to monitor port health services and equip staff with appropriate procedures.

In addition, he said virus screening and quarantine centers had been established in Lobatse, Sir Ketumile Masire Teaching Hospital, Palapye, Francistown, Kasane, Shakawe and Tlokweng, all equipped with personal protection equipment.

Digital thermometers and other essentials had also been ordered to support key preparedness and response activities such as screening and case management, Dr Kwape said.

He said the ministry was constantly engaging the community through various forms of media to shed some light on prevention measures.

Minister Kwape refuted allegations of a foreign national who might be a coronavirus suspect in the Bokspits area.

He said the suspect was a local who had for the past three weeks been experiencing fever symptoms accompanied by high body temperature.

The suspect had since been home isolated for monitoring while blood samples had been taken for examination, he said.

The minister pleaded with Batswana to observe stipulated hygiene practices including cleaning hands frequently with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water, covering mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing with flexed elbow or tissue, which should be immediately thrown away followed by washing of hands.

He advised members of the public to avoid close contact with anyone who had fever and cough .

Those with other symptoms were advised to seek medical care early and share previous travel history with health care providers. Ends