26 Apr 2020

The number of people in the country who have been diagnosed with the novel Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) remains 22, including one who passed away at Ramotswa, the Director of Health Services in the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Dr Malaki Tshipayagae has confirmed.

Addressing a press briefing in Gaborone on Sunday afternoon, Dr Tshipayagae said the number of people who had been tested for COVID-19 had now reached 6016, with contact tracing testing being conducted in areas where people diagnosed with the virus had contact with others.

The contact tracing has been taking place in the Greater Gaborone area, which includes areas such as Ramotswa and Metsimotlhabe as well as other parts of the country including Molepolole, Mahalapye, Bobonong and Siviya, Dr Tshipayagae revealed.

He also explained that the 21 people who have the illness were mostly doing well, with the majority of them no longer showing any symptoms, but health authorities were still monitoring their situation to ensure first that they are scientifically cleared of the virus before being released.

Without a cure for the illness, those with the virus are given supportive care, and in order to contain the disease from further spreading, a campaign of extensive contact tracing was being pursued instead of the community tracing initially planned.

Dr Tshipayagae also revealed that a savingram that circulated on social media over the weekend had not been meant for public consumption, but was an internal communication between government departments.

The savingram in question, addressed to a district health management team coordinator, recommended the closure until disinfection of certain businesses and public facilities in the Greater Gaborone area, as well as the testing of the employees of such places.

Dr Tshipayagae said this was a procedure meant to enhance the efficacy of the contact tracing and disease prevention through disinfection, as opposed to a reaction to any new movement from an infected case.

He urged public officers to protect internal information and avoid leaks that may lead to misinterpretation of government communication.

Dr Tshipayagae further said that with the period of extreme social distancing or lockdown due to end on April 30, communication would be made on whether to extend or conclude the process, based on a thorough assessment of the situation and what still needed to be accomplished in the battle against COVID-19. ENDS