*300 students from Gowa SS test positive
Boarding schools in Okavango sub district are grappling with a Coronavirus crisis, with Gowa Secondary School in Seronga hardest hit having recorded 300 cases in the past months.
The sub district’s chairperson, Mpoke Karapo confirmed this week that District Health Management Team (DHMT) has so far recorded 686 cases and four deaths in the region. 496 of those cases remain active.
“Several outbreaks were recorded in schools, especially those with boarding facilities. Gowa Junior Secondary School registered 300 students while Shakawe Senior Secondary School registered 55 cases and contact tracing is still ongoing,” revealed Karapo.
The sub district comprises of several settlements in the North West, including major villages such as Etsha extension area, Shakawe, Gumare, Seronga and Gudigwa among others.
However, it does not have an adequate isolation centre where Covid patients can be placed.
“May I highlight that the sub district has no quarantine facility and all contacts are quarantined at home,” highlighted Karapo.
The newly constructed J.P. Kavindama Hospital in Shakawe has a 20-bed isolation ward, which Karapo maintains is not enough given the sub district’s population and rapid rate at which the virus is spreading.
“This is inadequate to cater for the current situation. Additionally, there is a shortage of testing kits for contact tracing,” he further warned when opening this week’s council meeting in Gumare.
Breaking the figures down further, the Chairperson declared, “Gumare village registered a total of 94 cases followed by Shakawe at 77 and Nokaneng at 17.”
Meanwhile, Ngami DHMT, which covers schools in Maun Administration Authority (MAA), reported over 100 cases in its schools and the demise of two teachers.
In a monthly report presented at MAA on Wednesday morning, Dr Sandra Maripe revealed the deceased taught at Tshwaragano Junior Secondary School (Maun) and Legotlhwane Primary School.
In total, 103 students, 67 teachers and eight support staff have tested positive for Covid-19 in MAA schools.
Both Ngami and Okavango fall under North West district, with the 2011 population census putting the number of people living in the area at 175, 631.
However, the district has just 80 beds available: 20 in Shakawe and 60 in MAA. Dr Maripe maintains that at least 120 more beds can be availed at Maun General Hospital should a worst-case scenario arise. The clinic is currently undergoing renovations.