05 Sep 2021

Government will not seek extension  of the state of emergency when its current six-month period elapses September 30, President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi has said.

The pronouncement, made in his national address in Gaborone Friday, brings to an end a total of 18 consecutive months of the state of emergency.

The first of three successive cycles, each running for six months, was instituted in April 2020 after the country registered its first COVID-19 cases.

President Masisi also apprised the nation on  progress made in the battle against the pandemic.

 “As of August 14, we had 13 380 active cases translating to more than 1 000 cases per day with a positivity rate of 27 per cent. By August 30, active cases had dropped to 5 146 and daily cases halved with a positivity rate at nine per cent; nearly a threefold decrease,” he said.

He further said there had been a significant decrease in hospital admissions with a 70 per cent decline in patients admitted to COVID-19 treatment facilities.

The President informed the nation that government had embarked on a hospital capacity improvement  programme in an endeavour to decongest Sir Ketumile Masire Teaching Hospital, hitherto the main  facility handling COVID-19 cases.

Government was also working on providing a middle corridor for referral of patients who needed a higher level of care, he said.

Dr Masisi said provision of oxygen concentrators, oxygen plants and critical care equipment had improved across the country.

“Basic care has also been expanded through the strengthening of community home-based care programmes,” he said. Ends