COVID-19 infections reach peak

The rate at which the COVID-19 is spreading within Botswana shows a monumental rise in the epidemiological (epi-curve) since the country first registered its first cases in March 2020, The Business Weekly & Review can reveal.

This publication has seen Botswana’s COVID-19 Situation Update as at 10 June 2021. The report tracks trends of the deadly virus since March 2021 when the country recorded its first known positive cases.

According to the situational report, since the advent of COVID-19, the highest proportion of cases is from age group 15-44.

The report disclosed that the virus has killed more elder people as per the statistics recorded. The update highlighted that 85+ age group “has the highest Case Fatality Rate (CFR) at 26.19 percent followed by age groups 75-84 (21.04 percent), 65-74 (15.14 percent) and 55-64 (5.83 percent).”

A summary of the report show that the National Attack Rate (AR) is at 3.6 percent, National Case Fatality Rate (CFR) at 1.1 percent, National Positivity Rate (PR) at 7.3 percent. The statistics which are from the Ministry of Health and Wellness noted that the National Attack Rate(AR) and Case Fatality Rate have been on the increase since the 2^nd week of December 2020. “National 7 day moving average currently stand at 99 per 1 000 000(2^nd after Namibia when compared with bordering countries),”states the report.

Shifting its focus to zones, Greater Gaborone has the highest number and proportion of cumulative cases. Further, Boteti DHMT is signalled as having the highest Attack Rate at 14.4 percent followed by Chobe, Gantsi, Goodhope and Greater Francistown in that order.

“Ngami DHMT Has the highest Case Fatality Rate at 2.7 percent.”

Despite the continuation of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, the country continues to record high numbers of COVID-19 deaths and positive cases which the Presidential Task Force Coordinator Dr. Kereng Masupu has in the past attributed to illegal social gatherings otherwise known as “chill sessions”.

Meanwhile, President Mokgweetsi Masisi recently received his first injection of the Pfizer vaccine.