COVID-19 pandemic in Botswana

The COVID-19 pandemic occurs in Botswana since the end of March 2020 as part of the global COVID-19 pandemic , which took place in December 2019 in China originated. The pandemic affects the novel disease COVID-19 . This is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus from the Coronaviridae group and belongs to the group of respiratory diseases . From March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) classified the outbreak of the novel coronavirus as a global pandemic.

Course and measures

International travel to and from Botswana was temporarily restricted by an order in the government's official gazette . The Botswana government also recommended that its citizens avoid shaking hands and hugs. All trips abroad that are not absolutely necessary should be avoided for the time being. Public gatherings with more than 10 people were banned in Botswana.

After President Mokgweetsi Masisi returned in March 2020 from the meeting of some heads of state of neighboring countries in Windhoek ( Namibia ) to discuss measures against the spread of the coronavirus, he decided to go into a 14-day quarantine on his own initiative. He continues to pursue his official business, but keeps a temporary distance from his family.

On March 30, 2020, the first three COVID-19 infections were confirmed in Botswana. Two infected people came from Thailand , one from Great Britain. A state of emergency was declared a day later; it includes an "extreme" curfew from April 2nd. In the WHO situation report, these first three cases appeared for the first time on April 1, 2020.

The first COVID-19 death in the country was confirmed on March 31, 2020. This death appeared for the first time in the WHO situation report on April 2, 2020. On March 25, a woman who was suspected of having COVID-19 died in Ramotswa. A few days after her death on March 31, the results were positive, posthumously confirming the fourth case and first death of COVID-19 in Botswana. In a live broadcast on BTV, Vice President Tsogwane said authorities had picked up 14 other people who had been in contact with the deceased. These people have all been tested for COVID-19. The results of those in contact with the deceased were announced by the Minister of Health and Wellness, Lemogang Kwape, who also announced the first three cases. Kwape announced that seven of the 14 people tested were found positive, bringing the total number of cases to 13 infections and one death by April 14, 2020, according to WHO.

At the beginning of April 2020, President Masisi intended to extend the state of emergency from 28 days to six months. The National Assembly subsequently passed the Emergency Powers Act , which allows the president to rule by decree for six months . Among other things, people who “deceive the public” with information about COVID-19 or government measures face up to five years in prison. This was perceived by journalists as a measure of censorship.

The lockdown was re-imposed in Gaborone from June 12th to 15th after a number of suspected cases.

statistics

The number of cases developed during the COVID-19 pandemic in Botswana as follows:

Infections

Confirmed infections (cumulative) in Botswana
according to WHO data

New infections in Botswana
according to WHO data

Deaths

Confirmed deaths (cumulative) in Botswana
according to WHO data

Confirmed deaths (daily) in Botswana
according to WHO data

Remarks

1. ↑ ^{a b c d} Cases reported to WHO by national authorities are listed here. Since the situation is very dynamic, there may be discrepancies or delays between the cases of the WHO and the data of national authorities as well as the information provided by other bodies, such as the Johns Hopkins University (CSSE).

See also

• COVID-19 pandemic in Africa

Web links

Commons : COVID-19 Pandemic in Botswana  - Collection of pictures, videos and audio files

• Official website Botswana COVID-19 (English)
• Official data overview Botswana to COVID-19 (English)
• World Health Organization (WHO): Coronavirus disease (COVID-2019) situation reports on the website www.who.int (English)
• Johns Hopkins CSSE : Coronavirus COVID-19 Global Cases. (English)

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Covid-19: What is Covid-19? In: lungenaerzte-im-netz.de. Retrieved April 14, 2020 . 
2. ↑ "Deeply concerned": WHO speaks of corona pandemic. In: tagesschau.de. Retrieved April 14, 2020 . 
3. ↑ Jerry Omondi: Botswana restricts travel from COVID-19 affected countries . Message from CGTN (Beijing) of March 21, 2020 on www.africa.cgtn.com (English)
4. ↑ Zebilon Maine: Botswana president in 14 days self-isolation after visiting Namibia . SABC announcement of March 23, 2020 on www.sabcnews.com (English)
5. ↑ Botswana records first 3 cases of coronavirus - health minister. National Post, March 30, 2020.
6. ↑ Botswana registers first Covid-19 cases as three people test positive ( en ) March 31, 2020. Accessed March 31, 2020.
7. ↑ Poloko Tau: Lockdown expected for Botswana as it records its first 3 COVID-19 cases. citypress.news24.com of March 31, 2020 (English), accessed on March 31, 2020
8. ↑ Press conference by President Masisi on Botswana's preparedness for COVID-19. Government of Botswana, March 31, 2020.
9. ↑ ^{a b} Woman, 79, first person to die of Covid-19 in Botswana. iol.co.za, March 31, 2020, accessed March 31, 2020
10. ↑ ^{a b} World Health Organization (WHO): Situation reports. In: who.int. Retrieved April 14, 2020 (English). 
11. ↑ Mqondisi Dube: Botswana president wants to extend Covid-19 state of emergency by six months. voanews.com of April 6, 2020, accessed April 7, 2020
12. ↑ Joel Konopo: Botswana: Censorship is not the cure for Covid-19th Daily Maverick, April 30, 2020, accessed May 1, 2020
13. ↑ Botswana's capital Gaberone back on lockdown. africanews.com, June 14, 2020, accessed June 14, 2020
14. ↑ Botswana lifts capital's virus lockdown after all probable cases test negative. africa.cgtn.com of June 16, 2020 (English), accessed on June 16, 2020
15. ↑ ^{a b c d} Coronavirus disease (COVID-2019) situation reports. WHO, accessed on August 9, 2020 .