COVID-19 CASES ON THE DECLINE

Matsiloje isolation centre reduced to 50% occupancy rate

As the vaccination rollout proceeds to phase 2, which includes 30-year-olds in the North East District, the number of admitted Covid-19 cases in isolation and treatment centres has shown a steady decline.

This was revealed by the Council Chairperson, Florah Mpetsane, during a Full Council Session on Monday.

The Council Chair said the decline started to be evident towards the end of August.

“Matsiloje isolation centre has been operating at half occupation for at least two weeks, while Tatisiding isolation sites have also been experiencing slight decreases in admissions,” she said.

Mpetsane further told the Council that Masunga hospital, too, has declined from occupancy rate of above 95% to less than 20% in the past few weeks.

Urging strict adherence to the Covid-19 protocols, Mpetsane revealed that as of 24th August, more than 15 800 people in her district were fully vaccinated.

She said a decision was made to prioritise frontline workers in the vaccine rollout plan.

“So far, 95% of them have been vaccinated. The remaining 5% will be covered as we continue to receive the vaccines,” Mpetsane said.

The Council chair said these statistics were commendable after the district was hard hit by a third wave between June and August.

She said the district registered a total of 1 160 cases during this period. The Council learnt that cumulatively, North East District Health Management Team (NEDHMT) registered a total of 3 420 cases and 30 deaths as of 24th August.

The Greater Francistown DHMT villages under the North East District registered a total of 2 114 cases and 29 mortalities by the 17th of August, with Tatisiding reporting the most cases with 1 307 people testing positive.

This, she said, prompted them to partially convert Tatisiding Clinic into a Covid-19 isolation site.

“In total, we had an increase of 37 deaths from May. This was indeed heartbreaking,” she said.