Two new cases at Sir Ketumile Masire Teaching Hospital

Correspondent | Friday July 24, 2020 18:21

 

Two new cases at Sir Ketumile Masire Teaching Hospital

The two affected individuals were immediately admitted for isolation and care. Contact tracing was immediately commenced, which resulted in the testing and mandatory quarantine of a further 38 staff members who are considered “close contacts” of the two index cases, for a period of 14 days. All the close contacts have tested negative for COVID- 19 in the first test. A second test will be conducted after 10 days of quarantine, in line with the contact tracing guidelines.

As a precautionary measure, administration, clinical areas across the facility, and the canteen have been fumigated and disinfected. Additionally, Sir Ketumile Masire Teaching Hospital has taken steps to reinforce and sustain Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) measures for staff, patients and visitors to the facility. 

Because of the significant mental and social strain of COVID-19 on frontline Health Care Workers, Sir Ketumile Masire Teaching Hospital in partnership with the University of Botswana Psychology Department provides psychosocial support to all affected through the on-site Wellness Centre.

“We remain committed to supporting the COVID- 19 National response, and above all, ensuring that the safety and wellbeing of our staff remain our first priority. We urge all citizenry of Botswana to continue heeding advice in respect of ‘hand hygiene, respiratory hygiene, social distancing, and self-isolation when feeling unwell’,” read the press release.