09 Nov 2020

Presidential COVID-19 Task Force coordinator, Dr Kereng Masupu, has urged frontline workers at border posts to use proper face masks.

Dr Masupu said during a visit to Mohembo Border Post recently that workers at entry points were at risk of infection, hence the need to always protect themselves from the pandemic.

He said workers at the border should be more cautious since they interact with a large number of people.

Nonetheless, the purpose of the visit was to appreciate operations at border posts and also to see how officers could be assisted in terms of facilities and resources.

An official from BURS, Mr Mongale Mongalenyane, said there was usually an influx of tourists through the Mohembo Border Post during the festive season, noting that when borders re-open, they expected many people to enter through Mohembo.

He, however, noted that there was a challenge of truck drivers who could stay at the holding site for up to 14 days awaiting COVID-19 results.

On the issue of delayed results, Dr Masupu said a new technology of rapid test kits would soon be implemented and people would get results on the same day.

He also noted that there were plans to have a lab in Maun, something he said would improve the turnaround time for Okavango results because specimen would no longer be sent to Gaborone.

Dr Bokwena Moali of Okavango DHMT said for the surveillance testing initiative, they had so far tested 131 people in Seronga, Shakawe and Gumare and all were negative.

She also noted that to date, Okavango DHMT had registered six cases, of which all were from other regions, therefore there was never a local case.

Dr Moali, however, noted that the DHMT was challenged with limited isolation facilities hence sent clients to Maun.

“We hope completion of the Shakawe hospital will improve our situation in Okavango,” she said.

Meanwhile, lead consultant at Shakawe hospital project, Mr Tawanda Shamudzarira said a TB ward and a general ward had been requested and set aside for COVID-19 services at the hospital, and currently they were focusing on completing those.

He said so far they were just awaiting power connection. ENDS