24 Aug 2021

Palapye Administrative Authority is in the process of developing a COVID-19 home care management plan for home isolation and quarantine, its chairperson has revealed.

  Addressing a council meeting on Monday, Ms Khumoyame Lekoko said the plan would cover case management, health promotion education, infection prevention and control, psycho-social support, capacity building as well as monitoring and evaluation.

Apprising councillors on the alarming COVID-19 situation in schools, she said 43 learners were quarantined in May but the figure shot up to 461 the following month. 

On the side of staff, seven staff were quarantined in May compared to 46 in June.

“In May 51 learners were in isolation and the number increased to 403 in June, while staff in isolation increased from 14 in May to 87 in June,” she said.

She said five support staff deaths were reported during the same period.

Ms Lekoko attributed the surge to noncompliance to COVID-19 protocols, especially among learners.

Councillors heard that the deteriorating COVID-19 situation compelled the Ministry of Basic Education to close schools early. 

Although the move would impact negatively on teaching and learning, Ms Lekoko said with the support of parents and key stakeholders, schools would find ways of making up for lost time. 

The chairperson called on parents and guardians to assist  learners with work they were assigned to do during the vacation.

Meanwhile she said all 55 schools, both government and private, were inspected for COVID-19 compliance August 11-16th. 

  Ms Lekoko said the sub-district had embarked on maintenance of school facilities and delivery of supplies such as gas, stationery, food and domestic requisites in preparation for schools opening.

 The chairperson said the 10 149 positive cases registered in the district since the outbreak of COVID-19 called for all to adhere to set health protocols.

She said it was imperative for everyone to minimize non-essential movement.

Ms Lekoko said the district had recorded 71 COVID-19 deaths, 596 active cases while 1 233 people were on home quarantine. 

She said there were 8 920 recoveries while 562 were repatriated.

Councillor Lekoko said 169 sub-district staff members were infected while three health workers died due to COVID-19 related complications.

Ms Lekoko said a total of 10 911 had been vaccinated so far with 6 176 or 56.6 per cent fully covered.

“Currently we are continuing with second doses for both Sinovac and AstraZeneca for the second phase which covers people aged 45 to 54 years. The district is ready to receive the next batch of vaccines for first dose and all people aged 45 years and above who did not get the vaccine will get vaccinated,” she said.

She informed her audience that the COVID-19 laboratory in Palapye was operational and continued to receive samples from Bobonong, Mmadinare, Selebi Phikwe and Serowe for PCR test.

Noting that turnaround time for PCR was 24 to 48 hours, Ms Lekoko said it was commendable  considering the huge area covered.     

She said rapid tests were done in all facilities for symptomatic and casual contacts.

Despite the district’s high receptivity, she said, the sub-council had managed to control the infection rate through scientific surveillance approaches, public health education and amicable working relationship with different stakeholders.

However, the chairperson said  some challenges such as violations of health protocols persisted. 

She said DHMT continued to educate both the public and staff on the protocols.

In addition, Ms Lekoko said the council would  continue collaborating with partners such as Humana to Humana People, ACHAP, Bummhi, BOCAIP, Tebelopele VTC, BONELA, SISONKE and Ministers Fraternal to combat the disease. Ends