President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi's address on government response to COVID-19 pandemic
04 Sep 2021
Batswana ke le dumedisa ka Pula.
1. Pele gake bua le lona, ke kopa gore re tsee motsotso wa tidimalo go gopola ba ba re tlogetseng ka ntlha ya COVID-19. AMEN
2. Bagaetsho, I come before you as I usually do, to provide an overview of our COVID-19 response.
3. As you will recall, when I last addressed you on the 13th August, I indicated that the Delta variant driven surge that was upon us necessitated the introduction of three weeks of severe restrictions that were implemented to reduce transmission of COVID-19 and accelerate our vaccination programme.
4. In this regard, I wish to share with you progress made thus far. As a result of our compliance to these restrictions, we have seen a gradual decrease in the number of new infections and deaths over this period.
As at 14th of August we had 13,380 active cases translating to more than 1000 cases per day with a positivity rate at 27%.
By the 30th of August, active cases had dropped to 5,146 and daily cases halved with a positivity rate at 9%; nearly a threefold decrease. We have also witnessed a significant decrease in hospital admissions with a 70% decline in patients admitted into our COVID-19 treatment facilities.
5. Government has embarked on an exercise to capacitate hospitals in an effort to decongest Sir Ketumile Masire Teaching Hospital, and also provide a middle corridor for referral of patients who need higher level of care.
This capacity for the provision of oxygen concentrators, oxygen plants and critical care equipment has improved across the country. Basic care has also been expanded through strengthening of community home based care programme.
6. The second objective of these restrictions, was to accelerate the vaccination campaign in line with priority number one of our Reset Agenda.
7. I am happy to inform you that to date, the country has managed to fully vaccinate 21.6% of the currently eligible population of about one million, five hundred and thirty-one thousand (1, 531, 000) people.
8. As of August 2021, the country embarked on the second phase of the vaccination plan, targeting individuals aged between 30 and 54 years starting with those aged between 45 and 54 years, due to the limited supply of vaccines.
9. In spite of this limitation and in recognition of the impact that COVID-19 has had on all sectors, frontline workers including those in the education sector, among others, were prioritised in Phase II of the vaccination plan.
10. One million, nine thousand, nine hundred and seventy-four (1,009,974) doses, comprising Sinovac, Astrazeneca, Johnson & Johnson and Moderna are expected to be delivered during the month of September.
This number includes the 404,494 doses of Sinovac due to arrive this Sunday. The total number of vaccines expected this month, together with those that have been received so far, will mean that by the end of October 2021, nine hundred and seventy-five thousand, seven hundred and eight two (975, 782) Batswana will be fully vaccinated translating into 64% of the target population being fully vaccinated.
11. Let me take this opportunity to emphasise and remind all Batswana that it is important for everyone to receive all the required doses for them to be fully protected.
12. Bagaetsho in view of the declining number of cases and deaths, Government has taken the following decisions which will effect from 6th September at midnight.
-The curfew will start from 10pm to 4am;
-All public gatherings, including kgotla meetings, merapelo, weddings, patlo and magadi will be re-instated while following COVID-19 health protocols;
-The number of people at religious gatherings and church services remain at a maximum of fifty (50) and such gatherings and services be held twice a week;
-Funerals be conducted within a period of five (5) days from date of death and should continue to follow all established COVID-19 health protocols;
-Inter-zonal movement continues to be restricted to essential travel only;
-Schools will be reopened as planned and;
-The ban on the sale of alcohol will be lifted and allowed on a take away basis as per level 3 of the Emergency Response Framework;
13. Bagaetsho, even as we ease these restrictions, we should be cognisant of the recent detection of a new C. 1.2 variant in Botswana.
This new highly mutated variant could lead to resurgence of new infections which could possibly usher in the fourth wave.
14. I therefore urge each of you to take responsibility to protect yourselves, your loved ones and the nation by continuing to wear your masks appropriately, washing your hands with soap or sanitizing, maintaining social distancing and avoiding unnecessary travel.
15. Let your health and life come first. Ke a leboga! PULA!!
Source : BOPA
Author : BOPA
Location : GABORONE
Event : Nation address
Date : 04 Sep 2021
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