06 Apr 2020

North East and Francistown health management teams (DHMTs) have taken samples of 200 people for COVID-19 testing.

North East DHMT coordinator, Ms Rodah Phindela, stated that they had taken samples from people in different facilities in Francistown and Ramokgwebana for testing and were awaiting results.

She said most of the people whose samples were taken were from the first group that was quarantined on March 24 upon arrival at Ramokgwebana border.

Ms Phindela revealed that her team was expecting more test kits from Gaborone, which would help speed up the testing process.

She noted that the first group of the quarantines would be completing their 14 days in quarantine on April 7 and arrangements had been made to transport them to their destinations.

The coordinator highlighted that 100 would be travelling to Gaborone and surrounding areas, 60 to Francistown and greater Francistown, 30 to Selebi Phikwe while 21 would go to Serowe and Palapye.

Ms Phindela stated that for monitoring purposes, the people would be handed to DHMTs in their respective destinations to ensure they maintain their isolation status while awaiting the test results.

She said the practice was that people released from quarantine would be drilled through health protocols so as to protect themselves and the people in the community.

Ms Phindela further indicated that they would be prepared psychologically so that they integrate seamlessly with their families and the community after isolation without any stigma attached to them.

“They have been in quarantine for 14 days away from their families, colleagues and community hence it is imperative to counsel and guide them as a way of preparing them for the new environment.” She noted.

The coordinator highlighted that as soon as people vacate the hotel facilities, a team of public health officials would fumigate the facilities to keep them to a conducive standard.

She stated that DHMT would provide transport for everyone in the quarantine as a measure to isolate them from interacting with the public until results are released.

Furthermore, she indicated that facilitating transport was the right thing to do for those who do not have vehicles during this lockdown period where public transport had been suspended.

A total of over 520 people who arrived at Ramokgwebana border from March 24 are quarantined in hotels in Francistown, Palapye, Letlhakane and Ramokgwebana. ends