06 Sep 2020

Botswana has registered 278 new positive COVID-19 cases since August 29 bringing the total number of confirmed Batswana cases to 929.

Updating the nation on September 4, Presidential Task Force Team COVID-19 deputy coordinator, Professor Mosepele Mosepele, said 228 were Batswana, whilst 50 of the confirmed cases were recorded at various border posts.

Professor Mosepele also revealed that of the 929 cases, 428 were active cases, 493 recovered and the death toll had increased to 8 while 128 016 tests had been conducted.

“We have detected that the COVID-19 transmission rate has shifted and we have now noticed that the number of local cases have exceed the number of cases detected at various border posts meaning that the local transmission rate has increased,” Professor Mosepele commented.

He also revealed that there was only one patient who was critical and on life support.

In most work places, Professor Mosepele, said there was a general lack of non-compliance, citing that employees were quite casual about adhering to the COVID-19 health regulations such as not practicing social distancing and not wearing of masks.

“According to our statistics, we noticed that the infection rate at work places exceeds those of schools and at households, showing that there are some mistakes of non-compliance occurring at our work places,” he articulated.

Professor Mosepele also expressed that during the summer season, the virus would still be prevalent, highlighting that statistics from other countries recorded high infection rates during the summer period and as such Batswana should be extra vigilant during this period.

Professor Mosepele urged the nation to avoid going to public places when feeling unwell and to continue following the COVID-19 health protocols. ENDS