29 Apr 2020

About 50 specimen have been collected in Siviya by April 27 for the ongoing COVID-19 second contact tracing exercise.

The first contact tracing exercise was carried out in Siviya between April 10-14.

North East District Health Management Team coordinator, Ms Rodah Phindela stated that the first batch of specimen were sent to Gaborone on April 27, while the second batch left on April 28 for testing.

The coordinator said spot swabbing of contacts would be followed by another one between day 10 and 14 of the initial swab.

She said contact tracing exercise follows the new guidelines, which stipulates that testing should be done on patients’ contacts.

Ms Phindela said a team of 11 health officers had been deployed in Siviya from Gaborone to assist in carrying out the exercise.

She stated that the team also included a statistician for purposes of intensifying and interrogating as well as investigating all variables in Siviya for a seamless outcome.

She further said the collection of specimen would continue throughout the week to ensure that all contacts get tested.

Ms Phindela highlighted that residents of Siviya had welcomed the exercise as they were cooperating with health officials.

She stated that there was a high possibility that some businesses might be closed in the village for disinfection exercise following allegations that some of the contacts had visited those places.

Ms Phindela stated that Ministry of Health and Wellness had taken a decision that going forward results, would be announced without revealing the identity of the patients to avoid stigmatisation.

She further explained that the 36 initial contacts who tested negative for COVID-19, would not be tested again in the ongoing exercise. ENDS