As Africa has seen the third wave of Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19), Botswana has not been an exception. It has been reported that since the last five (5) months, COVID-19 fatalities has increased three-fold. Eighty percent (80 %) of those who have lost their lives in this country are over 50 years.
In his address a few moments back, His Excellency President Dr. Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi revealed, “Bagaetsho [Fellow countrymen], COVID-19 cases in Botswana have rapidly increased over the past five months. We have recorded eighty thousand one hundred and fifty four cases (80 154) positive cases, with eight thousand nine hundred and seventy (8 970) active cases. Sadly, we lost one thousand two hundred and fifty three (1253) people to the pandemic as at July 12th 2021, compared to three hundred (300) in February 2021.”
However, despite the mentioned numbers, President Masisi mentioned that his government has made some progress in vaccinating. As at 2nd July 2021, over one hundred and sixty five thousand (165,000) citizens and residents had received at least one dose of vaccine, of this number, one hundred and eight thousand (108,000) people were fully vaccinated. These include people with underlying medical conditions, such as, diabetes, hypertension and the elderly.
Not only did this pandemic affect lives, but it has affected livelihoods and economy, COVID-19 has negatively affected businesses of all sizes. According to the Bank of Botswana Business Expectations Survey of March 2021, the most affected businesses are in Retail, Hotels, Restaurants, Transport and Communications; Finance and Business Services; Mining, as well as the Construction sector.
In this light, the President has promised that more vaccines are coming. The vaccines, which will prioritize frontline workers are expected to improve the conditions which the country finds itself in. “We are expecting to receive 50 000 Mordena Vaccines and at least 500 000 doses of Johnson and Johnson vaccines by December 2021. Our plan is to have vaccinated every eligible Motswana by the end of 2022.” President Masisi assured.
In the meantime, President Masisi proclaimed that alcohol sale ban will continue, as well as the curfew times. In addition, the schools are to close from Friday 16 July 2021 to 17 August 17 2021.
