23 Mar 2022

COVID-19 is reportedly under control in the Kgatleng District, with confirmed cases consistently low over the last few months.
This was revealed by Kgatleng District Council Chairperson, Mr Daniel Molokwe when officially opening the Kgatleng District Full Council meeting, on Monday.
He stated that as of March 13  there were 14 153 cumulative cases in the district, of which 216 had unfortunately died.
“Even though we are currently reporting low cases of COVID-19 in the district, the District Health Management Team (DHMT) remains vigilant and on the lookout for any outbreaks,” he stated.
He encouraged residents to continue taking care of themselves, observe COVID-19 protocols and get tested at the nearest facilities when they developed the symptoms.
Furthermore, he stated that the COVID-19 vaccination campaign was ongoing in the district, and that the DHMT was currently vaccinating people aged 12 years and older.
He said the district target was 82 093, and that by March 11, 66 914 people had received first doses, which is 82 per cent of the target, while 59 114 people were fully vaccinated, translating to 72 per cent of the target population.
“I wish to highlight, with concern, that the turn up for vaccine by those in the age category 18 to 29 years has been low, and I request that we all encourage the youth to get vaccinated,” he said.
Mr Molokwe said the school vaccination drive was also going on well, with the DHMT vaccinating eligible children aged 12 to 17 years at all schools in the district.
He said 9 249 children out of a target of 13 000 had received their first doses, which was 71 per cent of the target.
Mr Molokwe stated that the majority of eligible children who had not received their COVID-19 vaccine were those not attending formal school and urged parents and guardians to ensure that children, aged 12 to 17 years, get vaccinated.
He regretted that the uptake of booster doses has been slow and was of great concern because out  of the 44 875 people due for their booster doses, 9 891 had taken their shots as at  March 11,  which was just 22 per cent of those eligible.
He reminded residents about the importance of the booster dose, saying research had shown that the efficacy of the primary vaccine declined over time.
Mr Molokwe acknowledged the impact made in the recent vaccination drives at shopping centres, around the district as a way to take the vaccine closer to the people.
“They continue with other initiatives such as the door-to-door campaign which was piloted at Makakatlela ward in Mochudi, and the Re Tloo Le Latela campaign, where they can be called by a group of 20 or more people to come and vaccinate them,” he stated. ENDS