03 Apr 2020

North West District commissioner, Mr Keolopile Leipego, has refuted allegations that an employee of Khoemacau Copper Mine in Toteng has tested positive to coronavirus.

In an interview, Mr Leipego said the reports were unfounded and misleading, hence his appeal to those who continue to spread false information to desist from such.

He condemned reports trending on social media, saying they caused confusion among communities.

Currently, he said there were no confirmed cases in the area except the 39 people who had been quarantined in different facilities across the district.

The district set aside Matshwane Clinic as an isolation centre where patients who tested positive for COVID-19 would be quarantined.

The 39 quarantined people, he said, were reported to be returning from South Africa and Namibia, adding that seven had been quarantined at Khoemacau Copper Mine facility, 12 in one of the lodges in Maun while 20 were accommodated at Makavango lodge in Gumare.

Mr Leipego revealed that all were quarantined following a mandatory 14-day quarantining regulation for returning citizens and Botswana residents to prevent COVID-19 spread.

He said three out of the seven at the mine facility, had completed their 14-day quarantine with negative results.

The DC hailed some lodges for pledging accommodation to those on quarantine and that Khoemacau mine had quarantined some people even before the mandatory 14-day quarantining rule.

The mine, he said, had engaged a health specialist who worked hand in hand with Ngami District Health Management Team (DHMT).

Mr Leipego said a certain couple at Gunotsoga self-quarantined at their lodge following their return from South Africa on March 19 as one was showing signs of being unwell.

He stated that the health officials continued to assist and monitor them at the lodge.

The DC hailed some members of the community for practising self-isolation once they showed symptoms of being unwell adding that currently, 43 people had done that and contacted health officials for further medical assistance.

He encouraged the public to promote prevention by adhering to the set safety measures such as frequent washing of hands with clean water and soap, to cover the mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing and maintaining social distancing. ENDS