21 Jan 2021

Some residents of Otse in the South East District have questioned the rationale behind self-isolation with contention that such does not guarantee that the person will adhere to COVID-19 protocols.

The residents expressed their reservations during a meeting addressed by Otse Clinic staff at Lesetlhana Clinic in Otse on January 19.

The residents said the situation became complicated as families shared resources, hence they believed that self-isolation and self-quarantine contributed to the spread of coronavirus among the family members and subsequently to the family associates.

However, a health education officer from the Ministry Of Health and Wellness, Mr Johannes Ramphaleng said all people who were on self-isolation were supposed to adhere to the COVID- 19 health protocols.

He said such a person was expected to be confined to the house during the whole tenure of isolation.

Mr Ramphaleng said they had also noted that some people were not conforming to the health protocols.

He said before a person was placed on self-isolation, the ministry ensured that there was a capability for the person to stay away from other family members.

He warned that failure to adhere to the COVID-19 protocols would defeat all efforts of fighting COVID-19.

Mr Ramphaleng said quarantining people in selected areas came with cost to the country’s finances.

Health Education Assistant, Ms Irene Maretele regretted that some people continued to interact with others and continue with their lives, despite being in isolation. 

Ms Maretele said such behaviour was risky as it contributed to the spread of the disease and put more lives at risk.

Otse South councillor, Ms Sheila Malope encouraged the community members to adhere to health protocols and protect themselves from being exposed to the virus.

She said COVID-19 was deadly, hence the Otse community should change their perception of the disease.

Councillor Malope said the COVID-19 situation would continue to worsen until the community treated the disease with the seriousness it deserved. Ends