COVID-19 UNDER CONTROL-NACOSEC

The National COVID-19 Secretariat (NACOSEC) Chief of Staff, Mr. Thabo Ntoi says Lesotho’s COVID-19 situation is under control as it has recorded a decline in COVID-19 infections and cases of patients in hospitals for the past few weeks.
This, he said when addressing the media during the press conference held at the Ministry of Health boardroom in Maseru on Thursday.
Mr. Ntoi said the infection rate has dropped to 3 percent this week, saying even the deaths have decreased because there are recorded in single-digit weekly compared to the last few months where the infection rate was high.
He said for the past weeks, the positive rate of infection was ranging at 5 percent and it only this week that it has declined.
Mr. Ntoi further mentioned that the COVID-19 patient being admitted to hospitals have also dropped, noting that only 7 percent of COVID-19 patients are recorded to have been admitted.
Speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Health, Dr ’Makhoase Ranyali refuted rumors that Basotho are being vaccinated with expired COVID-19 vaccines and that people who have not yet receive their doses will be forced to get vaccinated.
Dr Ranyali said the COVID-19 vaccination is vital because it will help the country in controlling the spread of the virus hence urged Basotho to vaccinate.
She noted that Lesotho is currently using three vaccines namely AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson and Sinopharm, adding that AstraZeneca and Sinopharm are double doses vaccines while J&J is a single dose.
She mentioned that only 700 people have been vaccinated with Sinopharm meaning that 1400 doses were taken.
Dr Ranyali noted that in March 2021, the country started the vaccination campaign beginning with health workers, borders officials and people with chronic disease.
She further mentioned that they also received J&J and Sinopharm vaccines, stressing that only people from 18 years will be vaccinated.
So far, the country has recorded 21 250 positive cases and 111 67 recoveries have been registered while confirmed deaths stand at 719.
By Staff Reporter: Noliwe Velaphe