01 Sep 2021

Botswana has detected one case of the latest COVID-19 variant named C.1.2. 

Giving a weekly update on Monday, presidential COVID-19 task force deputy coordinator, Professor Mosepele Mosepele said Botswana was the 10th country to have the variant.

Others included South Africa, United Kingdom, China, Congo, Mauritius, Portugal and Switzerland. 

Prof Mosepele stated that the variant contained mutations identified in four variants of concern being Alpha, Beta, Delta and Gamma as well as additional ones.

It also had three variants of interest being of Kappa, Eta and Lambda.

According to South Africa’s The Guardian newspaper, variants of concern are those showing increased transmissibility, virulence and decreased effectiveness of public health and social measures. 

Prof Mosepele said the appearance of C.1.2 necessitated continued adherence to set health protocols. 

Meanwhile, he reported that Botswana had recorded the lowest number of COVID-19 cases since the winter season.

The drop could be attributed to efforts undertaken to minimise movement of people, he said.

However, Prof Mosepele said the curve had not yet flattened and therefore stressed the need for consistency in order for figures to keep dropping.

He said Greater Gaborone remained a hot spot followed by Greater Palapye and Greater Francistown. 

On the latest statistics, Prof Mosepele said 48 new COVID-19 related deaths were registered since August 27 bringing the total death toll to 2 261.

He said the total number of fully vaccinated people stood at 207 695 while 320 308 had received their first jab.

 Regarding vaccinating expectant and lactating women, Prof Mosepele said the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines had been approved for the protection of both mother and child. 

He further said they were a high risk group that would need to be prioritised going forward. ends