28 Aug 2021

Dr Clement Mukadi, head of preventive services at Chobe District Health Management Team (DHMT), says the area has about 181 COVID-19 active cases and  over 80 per cent of the patients are on home isolation.

Addressing a Chobe District full council meeting recently, Dr Mukadi said DHMT said the district had been divided into three areas of Chobe Central, Chobe West and Chobe East.

He said Chobe Central had the highest number of COVID-19 cases while Chobe West and East had about seven per cent and four per cent respectively.

Dr Mukadi also informed councillors that the district had recorded 37 COVID-19 deaths, which was a mortality rate of 0.5 per cent and 97 per cent recovery rate.

He said their research had indicated that deaths cut across all ages and  the youngest victim was 23 years while the eldest was 97. He also said deaths among those fully vaccinated had not yet been recorded.

Dr Mukadi noted that the district experienced two waves of the virus between January-March and April-July this year. He said during the first wave, 32 was the highest number of cases registered in a day while in the second wave 394 cases were registered in one day. He noted that the situation had now stabilised.

He said cumulative positive cases from August last year to date was 75 580,and that over 100 000 tests were conducted in the district with both the rapid and PCR systems.

On vaccinations, he said their target was to vaccinate over 80 000 people who were above 18 years old and that so far they had vaccinated 21 per cent. He added that about 600 teachers and non-teaching staff and more than 200 health workers had also been vaccinated.

Commenting, Councillor Simasiku Matengu of Kazungula New Stance complained about patients being referred to Masunga due to shortage of oxygen in Chobe. He expressed concern about the lack of monitoring by health officials on patients placed on home isolation.

He also said it was difficult for some patients on home isolation since some still had to travel and queue for water at public standpipes.

Councillor Boitumelo Kanyetu of Plateau thanked the DHMT for vaccinating all teachers, including those of privately owned pre-schools. He also said those who were not in the district during vaccination should be vaccinated.

Cllr Chimney Mulelwane of Chobe Enclave East requested that people in Linyanti, Savuti and the delta should be vaccinated.

Councillor Helen Diau said some people were cleared after 10 days, but that their health deteriorated afterwards.

The DHMT coordinator, Ms Rose Munyere explained that when the cases were high, it was difficult to check patients on home isolation and were only given a number to call when their condition changed.

She said prior to the second wave, health officials checked on all patients at least twice a day. She further explained that with the anticipated home based care model, all patients would be monitored as existing community structures would be utilised.

She explained that vaccinators were flown to the delta to vaccinate all those who qualified.

She also said she was hopeful that the district would have its own oxygen plant to avoid referrals outside the district.BOPA