22 Jan 2021

Ngami registers eight deaths of COVID

Ngami District Health Management Team (DHMT) has registered eight deaths of COVID-19 since the festive season started to date.

Acting DHMT coordinator, Dr Sandra Maripe- Ebutswe revealed when updating members of District Emergency Operation Committee (DEOC) about the COVID-19 situation and some new developments.

Seven of the deaths, she said were recorded in January and one was registered in December. She also stated that they had 225 active cases while 994 patients were on home quarantine. Four were in isolation at Botswana Open University (BOU).

Dr Maripe-Ebutswe decried shortage of isolation places, noting that there was a delay in renovation of Old Maun General hospital, which had a 100-bed capacity. Theft of electricity cables was reported to be delaying completion of the project.

She stated however that negotiations were on track to use Botswana Wildlife Training Institution (BWTI) as an isolation centre.

Dr Maripe-Ebutswe said there was progress as they managed to relocate students to BOU to pave way for renovation of the facility. The facility, she said had 100 beds capacity and currently two blocks were under renovation.

She said a decision had been taken to close Matshwane Isolation Centre considering the surge experienced in the district adding that the facility had a 10 bed capacity adding, ‘we realised that it was not ideal to invest our resources to house ten patients and instead we will be moving the resources to BWTI.’

Dr Maripe-Ebutswe also noted that an isolation centre at Letsholathebe Memorial hospital would be opened which would cater for patients who tested positive within facility. The female surgical ward, which has 27-bed capacity has been designated as an isolation area and currently 14 patients have been admitted, she said.

She appreciated support from non-governmental organisations, noting that Maun Project Sanitize had come to their rescue by donating Maun Rest Camp to be used as a quarantine.

The facility located at Matlapana ward, has a 100-bed capacity adding that it also has a camping site. She acknowledged efforts by Maun Project Sanitize to procure some beds and linen as well as putting up some tents at the site.

She revealed that they would soon start quarantining some patients at the facility. Dr Maripe-Ebutswe expressed disappointment that some local lodges and hotels were refusing to accommodate patients diagnosed with coronavirus.

She said DMHT had taken a decision to conduct tests of all arrivals at the Maun International Airport as it was realised that some clients use fake results.

Shortage of transport and staff, she said were also undermining their efforts to conduct contact tracing on time. According to the health standards, Dr Maripe-Ebutswe noted that the exercise should be done within seven days but at times they conduct it after the stipulated time because of shortage of transport. Ends

 

 

Ngami District Health Management Team (DHMT) has registered eight deaths of COVID-19 since the festive season started to date.

Acting DHMT coordinator, Dr Sandra Maripe- Ebutswe revealed when updating members of District Emergency Operation Committee (DEOC) about the COVID-19 situation and some new developments.

Seven of the deaths, she said were recorded in January and one was registered in December. She also stated that they had 225 active cases while 994 patients were on home quarantine. Four were in isolation at Botswana Open University (BOU).

Dr Maripe-Ebutswe decried shortage of isolation places, noting that there was a delay in renovation of Old Maun General hospital, which had a 100-bed capacity. Theft of electricity cables was reported to be delaying completion of the project.

She stated however that negotiations were on track to use Botswana Wildlife Training Institution (BWTI) as an isolation centre.

Dr Maripe-Ebutswe said there was progress as they managed to relocate students to BOU to pave way for renovation of the facility. The facility, she said had 100 beds capacity and currently two blocks were under renovation.

She said a decision had been taken to close Matshwane Isolation Centre considering the surge experienced in the district adding that the facility had a 10 bed capacity adding, ‘we realised that it was not ideal to invest our resources to house ten patients and instead we will be moving the resources to BWTI.’

Dr Maripe-Ebutswe also noted that an isolation centre at Letsholathebe Memorial hospital would be opened which would cater for patients who tested positive within facility. The female surgical ward, which has 27-bed capacity has been designated as an isolation area and currently 14 patients have been admitted, she said.

She appreciated support from non-governmental organisations, noting that Maun Project Sanitize had come to their rescue by donating Maun Rest Camp to be used as a quarantine.

The facility located at Matlapana ward, has a 100-bed capacity adding that it also has a camping site. She acknowledged efforts by Maun Project Sanitize to procure some beds and linen as well as putting up some tents at the site.

She revealed that they would soon start quarantining some patients at the facility. Dr Maripe-Ebutswe expressed disappointment that some local lodges and hotels were refusing to accommodate patients diagnosed with coronavirus.

She said DMHT had taken a decision to conduct tests of all arrivals at the Maun International Airport as it was realised that some clients use fake results.

Shortage of transport and staff, she said were also undermining their efforts to conduct contact tracing on time. According to the health standards, Dr Maripe-Ebutswe noted that the exercise should be done within seven days but at times they conduct it after the stipulated time because of shortage of transport. Ends