08 Sep 2020

The Central District Council (CDC) has registered 16 COVID-19 cases,  chairperson Mr Ketshwereng Galeragwe has revealed.

Addressing Central District full council session on September 7, Mr Galeragwe said seven cases were registered in greater Selebi Phikwe, two at Serowe/Palapye, one at Boteti, three at Tutume and three at Mahalapye District Health Management Team (DHMT) area, bringing the total to 16.

He said over 250 positive cases had been registered entering through Martin’s Drift Border, one of the country’s busiest points of entry which had remained operational even during extreme social distancing.

Mr Galeragwe said most of the clients were truck drivers who had since been repatriated to their respective countries.

He revealed that all local cases reported were asymptomatic and in stable condition.

Mr Galeragwe said the district had a COVID-19 testing facility in Palapye which came into operation, been in operation since June 15, with a total of 9 878 of samples tested to date.

As of August 12, he said, all samples received were tested and verified in Palapye thus improving turnaround time.

Mr Galeragwe said in an attempt to mitigate against the scourge, several places across the district were identified for isolation and admission purposes.

He commended the hospitality sector for having come to the party by offering their facilities for quarantining purposes at a minimal cost to government.

Mr Galeragwe also applauded frontliners who continued to sacrifice their lives and those of their families in an endeavor to protect society from the pandemic.

“Your selflessness and dedication cannot go unnoticed and on behalf of this house and the district at large, I thank you a million times for taking care of our lives,” he said.

He said the quarantine sites remained active for contacts, returning citizens and residents as well as essential service providers coming through points of entry.

The district’s isolation points  include Old Sekgoma Hospital, Tutume and Gweta primary hospitals, the old Mahalapye hospice, Mmatshumo RADs hostels, Mmadikola Health Post, Bobonong Primary Hospital, Mmadinare Hospital and industrial clinic.

Mr Galeragwe said the country had a spike in corona cases as a result of local transmission which was a clear message that COVID-19 was still a serious threat.

He therefore said there was need to be vigilant and seriously commitment to comply  with COVID-19 protocols.

Mr Galeragwe expressed concern about some members of the community who still took  the situation lightly thereby putting other peoples’ lives in danger.

In some areas, social distancing was not observed at funerals and traditional celebrations where cooking was also being done for attendants, he said.

The chairperson pleaded with the public to desist from cooking at weddings and funerals and urged the relevant authorities to enforce the law.

Mr Galeragwe nonetheless commended some community members for being innovative such as mounting hand washing facilities at their gates. ENDS