Botswana suspects five coronavirus cases

Botswana’s Ministry of Health and Wellness has issued a statement saying that five people in the country are suspected of having contracted the deadly coronavirus, presenting flu-like symptoms.

“These are suspected cases since they presented symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection such as fever, cough, fatigue and headache”, the ministry has told reporters. 

The ministry further stated that all five suspected cases entered the country through the Sir Seretse Khama International Airport near Gaborone, though at different times. The patients were later quarantined in an isolated facility and have been awaiting laboratory results from South Africa since 30th January. 

Health Minister Dr Lemogang Kwape and World Health Organisation (WHO) representative Dr Josephine Namboze visited the facility on Friday in order to assess the level of preparedness and reassure staff. 

The coronavirus was first recorded in the Chinese city of Wuhan on New Year’s Eve. It has since infected over 20,000 people in China and killed 425.

The ministry has said it will continue to monitor the situation closely, in collaboration with the WHO, and will keep the public updated.

Botswanans are advised to exercise precautions towards preventing the spread of the virus and maintain proper levels of personal hygiene. 

Photo: AFP