14 Oct 2020

Mahalapye has been selected to be part of the Botswana Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) COVID-19 sentinel survey in the greater Palapye zone.

Mr Keabetswe Fane, greater Palapye COVID-19  sentinel survey coordinator said in an interview that the objectives of the study were to monitor intensity and geographic spread of COVID-19 as well as to detect outbreaks among front line workers and crowded areas in Botswana.

“The survey will be conducted across the nine COVID-19 zones in Botswana, using a multi-stage cluster sampling method,” said Mr Fane. 

He added that the period for the survey was 12 weeks.

Mr Fane stated that testing would take place at Mahalapye District Hospital, Moko Clinic, Baitiredi Clinic, Mahalapye Police Station, Mahalapye Bus Rank, Water Shed Mall and Lyns Funeral Parlor, targeting people who are 18-years-old and above.

He said they were aiming to at-least conduct tests from 492 including health workers, patients with COVID-19 symptoms as well as those who were asymptomatic.

Mr Fane encouraged members of the public to participate in the survey, especially those who were working or always visited crowded places.

Mahalapye District Health Management Team coordinator, Ms Thandie Kgosiesele, said community leaders were already informed about the survey so that they could spread the message to members of the public. ENDS