22 May 2022

Botswana continues to experience a climb in the number of COVID-19 cases, having recorded 290 new ones and the death of an eight-month old baby recently.

Public health physician in the Ministry of Health, Dr Matshwenyego Boitshwarelo revealed this in an update on COVID-19 situation on Friday.

Dr Boitshwarelo said the 290 new cases were a double of those recorded in the previous week, thus urged Batswana to be cautious and continue observing health protocols.

“We need to be alert at all times. Most cases were recorded among the 34 to 44-year-olds and there were none for over 70-year- olds,” she said.

Dr Boitshwarelo also indicated that the climb in cases was also experienced in neighbouring countries such as Namibia and South Africa, with the latter currently recording more than 8 000 cases each day. 

Meanwhile, the ministry’s chief health officer, Mr Abia Sebaka revealed that 61.2 per cent of the population had been fully vaccinated thus far, while 30 per cent had received booster jabs.

However, Mr Sebaka expressed concern about the low uptake of booster jabs, particularly among the 18 to 29-year-olds.

He thus called for unvaccinated individuals to get immunised against the virus, particularly that winter was approaching.

He also encouraged Batswana to continue observing social distancing, wash and sanitise hands at all times in order to keep COVID-19 at bay. Ends