08 May 2022

 The COVID-19 Omicron wave has passed, Health Services director, Dr Pamela Smith-Lawrence said when giving an update Thursday. Dr Smith Lawrence said COVID-19 cases around the world were generally on the decline, and Botswana had registered a similar pattern. 

She said 24 new cases were registered in from across the country in the period 24-30 April, bringing the total number of cases to 306 223. 

However no deaths were recorded as a result of the disease during the period. Botswana’s COVID-19 mortality remained at 2619, she said. 

“This shows that the Omicron variant wave is over,” she said. 

However, the ministry remained vigilant as the winter season approached, and would continue monitoring the situation especially as numbers in neighbouring South Africa, continued to rise. 

Dr Smith-Lawrence encouraged people to continue vaccinating and ensure they took the booster shot. 

She warned those not fully vaccinated were in danger of getting seriously ill if infected. Dr Smith-Lawrence said vaccination of children 12 to 17 would continue when schools re-opened. 

Those who previously took their first dose would get their second dose while the latest batch of 12 year-olds would get their first. She said the ministry was still awaiting vaccines for children in the lower age bracket. 

Dr Smith-Lawrence warned against relaxing COVID-19 protocols countries currently experiencing a surge had relaxed protocols. 

To avoid a surge in numbers, Botswana would continue observing the protocols, namely, wearing of face mask, social distancing and disinfecting of hands by washing or sanitising. 

“For that reason Botswana is not in anywhere near relaxing COVID-19 protocols,” she said, in part answering people who have been campaigning for relaxation of the protocols. 

Meanwhile, Dr Smith-Lawrence said the influenza family of viruses tended to spike in winter and advised people to keep warm at all times. 

She also encouraged people to take a flu shot and vitamin C as well as keep the body hydrated at all times. Ends