20 Sep 2020

COVID-19 cases continue to increase daily in the country sparking concerns about a possible spike in numbers after the independence holidays.

“We are beginning to notice a jump in the number of cases recorded every day and we are currently recording 40 COVID-19 cases per day,” says presidential COVID-19 task  team  deputy coordinator, Professor Mosepele Mosepele.

Updating the nation on the pandemic recently, Prof Mosepele attributed the jump in cases to a growing number of unsatisfactory compliance issues and failure to adhere to COVID-19 protocols by the public.

He said local transmission figures were on the rise which  threatened the integrity of facilities available to care for the affected.

The situation would worsen if Batswana were not vigilant, he warned.

Prof Mosepele said as at September 17, the total number of cases stood at 2 567 with 104 new ones out of which 91 were local and 13 foreign. He said the country had  recorded two more COVID-19 deaths involving two senior citizens aged 70 and 80, both of whom had underlying health conditions bringing the death toll to 13.

“The passing of senior citizens is a major worry so we are urging Batswana to ensure that they adhere to all safety protocols so that they do not pass the virus to their parents,” he said. 

Meanwhile Prof Mosepele has advised Batswana to be wary of unnecessary travel to prevent transmission of  the virus to areas currently not affected by COVID-19.

Prof Mosepele said workplace transmission was also on the rise attributable to people going to work when they were sick.

He therefore urged the public to stay at home when showing symptoms of flu or any other signs and desist from going to work to protect others.

Nevertheless, Prof Mosepele expressed the hopeful that Batswana would ensure the highest adherence to COVID-19 protocols by avoiding travelling during the forthcoming holidays.BOPA