09 Apr 2020

A total of 29 people, who are quarantined at Chobe Marina Lodge in Kasane, have been tested for COVID-19 and are awaiting results.

Coordinator of Kasane District Health Management Team (DHMT), Dr Botshelo Kgwaadira, said samples were sent to the National Laboratory Lab in Gaborone and they should expect results not later than three days.

Dr Kgwaadira was speaking to those quarantined at the lodge during a visit to inform them that there had been an extension in the quarantine period because they had to be tested first before being released.

He further explained that initially, priority for testing was given to those who had shown flu like symptoms and were from high risk countries.

He said the procedure had now changed and noone under quarantine would leave without having been tested, adding that this was done because government had realised that people released without having been tested first were being discriminated against.

Dr Kgwaadira noted that because there had been an extension of the quarantine period from 14 days mandatory period, there wasneed for psycho-social support for those affected.

He said it was under this backdrop that DHMT requested social workers from the Chobe District Council to provide psycho-social support.
 
Those who would be released upon testing negative for the virus would be provided with COVID-19 clearance certificate and a travel permit.

For their part, the quarantined alleged that they were only allowed to open windows for a short period of time and that the hotel employees seemed to be discriminating them.

Some complained that they had to take some medication after meals but meals were offered late. Therefore, they requested that they be given a chance to buy food outside.

However, Dr Kgwaadira advised that bringing food from outside might put their lives at risk and change the whole situation to be worse.
ENDS