01 Dec 2021

All Botswana’s key COVID-19 pandemic indicators remain stable following  the discovery of the new COVID-19 variant, President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi has revealed.

Updating the nation via Botswana Television yesterday, he said the indicators, including flu clinic visits, COVID-19 hospitalisation rate, laboratory positivity rate, disease burden per 100 000 persons and isolation bed occupancy were carefully monitored and remained stable.

He said although comforting, the situation did not call for complacency.

President Masisi said government continued to actively monitor the situation, and announced it’s recommitment to intensifying genomic surveillance and engaging all stakeholders on enhancing all non-pharmaceutical measures, which had proved effective in containing the spread and transmission of COVID-19.

About the discovery of the new variant, Dr Masisi explained that local COVID-19 genomic surveillance picked four ‘concerning’ samples and discovered the new strain and in accordance with international obligations, Botswana submitted for the global scientific community to respond to the finding.

Botswana’s submission was followed shortly afterwards by that of  South Africa on a similar concerning variant, he said, further explaining that on November 26,  WHO classified it as a ‘variant of concern’ and named it Omicron.

“This marked a remarkable scientific contribution to the global COVID-19 response by Botswana,” he said.

He applauded the local scientific community for its relentless efforts in monitoring the variant and being the first to sequence it, and making information available to the international community timeously.

The variant was still being studied to determine how quickly it could spread, how it might make people sick and the efficacy of various vaccines against it, he said.

President Masisi described as unfortunate some countries’ reaction to Botswana’s detection of the variant and said it defeated the spirit of multilateral cooperation in dealing with a global pandemic.

“The decision to ban our citizens from travelling to certain countries was hastily made and is not only unfair, but is also unjustified, while reducing confidence on the reason and logic that prevails,” he said.

Calling the decision harsh, Dr Masisi expressed the hope that those who imposed the travel ban on Southern Africa would reflect and review it.

Not withstanding, Botswana remained resolute and continued in its quest to save its citizens and residents from the pandemic.

“We have so far made significant progress with regard to our national vaccination programme…I am happy to inform you that as of 29th November 2021 an estimated 1 053 361 people - this translates to 75.7 per cent of targeted Batswana citizens and residents over the age of 18 years had received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. A total of 950 973 people, translating to 68.4 per cent had been fully vaccinated,” he said, adding the number exceeded the 64 per cent target that the government had set for itself, and WHO’s 40 per cent.

Dr Masisi said Botswana’s vaccination record made the country one of only three African countries to have achieved the WHO target.

He announced that on Tuesday over 500 000 doses of Pfizer vaccine were received with over 1.6 million expected before the end of this month.

More vaccines  were being procured and government was also considering a booster dose for those qualifying for it.

President Masisi decried flagrant disregard of COVID-19 protocols, especially at social gatherings and entertainment events, which had the potential to be superspreaders of the virus.

Such behaviour was unacceptable as it could reverse the gains the country had made, he said.

Botswana, he said, had in the past three months witnessed a steady decrease in the number of new infections and deaths, currently recording an average of under 10 infections per 100 000 people compared to 648 at the peak of the third wave.

Also being witnessed was a gradual decline in hospitalisation with less than 10 patients at a time at Sir Ketumile Masire Teaching Hospital and other health facilities, representing two per cent bed occupancy.

The President said in as much as infection remained consistently low, government, through its various ministries was working tirelessly to prepare for potential outbreaks and a possible fourth wave.

Some of the ongoing initiatives included installation of oxygen generating plants whereby oxygen would be extracted from the air and converted to medical oxygen; increasing skilled capacity; increasing the number of beds in health facilities; development of a home-based care strategy and engagement of both the public and private sector to fight COVID-19.

In the spirit of togetherness the government had engaged with Business Botswana, the music industry, religious and community leaders, tourism sector and others towards promoting vaccination and prevention, he said.

“As I said before, we’re all in this together,” he said, adding that everyone needed be the other’s keeper to ensure defeat of COVID-19.

The President pleaded with Batswana to comply with covid-19 protocols.

“Please I beg you, continue observing COVID-19 protocols of social distancing, washing hands or sanitising, wearing masks and avoid unnecessary travelling,” he said. DailyNews