11 Jun 2020

Siviya community has been lauded for the exceptional cooperation displayed during the recent COVID-19 contact tracing exercise conducted in the village.

The North East District village registered a COVID-19 positive case in April resulting in the Ministry of Health and Wellness dispatching a team of medical doctors for contact tracing.

In an interview this week, Kgosi Louis Siviya said by cooperating with the health officials during the exercise, his people exhibited the spirit of patriotism.

He stated that at first, residents panicked when results were announced while some were reluctant to come forth for fear they might be infected.

However, once they were sensitised on the importance of the contact tracing exercise, people opened up to being tested.

Kgosi Siviya revealed that when the Siviya COVID-19 positive case was announced, he took it upon himself to form a committee comprising the school head, nurses, police and councillor with the aim of raising awareness on the pandemic.

He said the committee also spread COVID-19 messages through public address system.

It was through the public address system that the village managed to identify every person who had a contact with the patient which made it easier for medical officers to reach them in their homes.

Kgosi Siviya indicated that due to concerted efforts from all members of the community it eased up the medical officers’ assignment in conducting tests.

In addition,  the chief said in Siviya taken seriously in that they had already registered case which meant that they had to work hard to control movements.

He said police and BDF officers worked tirelessly patrolling the village day and night to ensure movements were controlled.

The chief said at some point the village task team suspended issuing of permits to restrict movements.

He stated that even post lockdown Siviya residents continued to take COVID-19 protocols seriously, being cautious in their movements, sanitizing and wearing masks.

Kgosi Siviya applauded the COVID-19 village task team for their commitment during the contract tracing exercise which he said would have been an uphill battle without the committee’s input.

He further thanked the Ministry of Health and Wellness for their cordial working relationship during the first contact tracing and the second contacts of contacts tracing exercises.  Ends