By Kefiloe Kajane
The Prime Minister Moeketsi Majoro on Wednesday announced the extension of the nationwide lockdown by a further seven days, and cast more light on the shortage of oxygen in hospitals, which has caused widespread panic.
Majoro said the national lockdown is extended from January 28 to February 3 as per cabinet decision to prevent the high rate of new Covid-19 infections.
On the issue of oxygen supply, the he said the public is rightfully worried about the oxygen supply situation in hospitals. He said oxygen availability has emerged as a critical problem not only affecting Lesotho, but the region as a whole.
“Government meets daily to assess the oxygen situation at hospitals and I can confirm that the supply situation will be stabilized next week. In the meantime, government is working with suppliers daily to minimize any shortages in health facilities,” he said.
Majoro said cabinet concluded that the lockdown introduced on January 15 succeeded to reduce the level of new infections from 47 percent to 36 percent.
He said however, at 36 per cent, new infections are still very high. He pointed that at the time of announcement of the lockdown, new infections stood at 47 percent after hovering around six percent between end of October and beginning of December 2021.
He indicated that the government is concerned that funerals remain by far the most super spreaders of the coronavirus and that people continue to violate the guidelines that regulate burials.
He said government will announce additional safeguards regarding burials during the next week.
“In preparation for that announcement, ministers will undertake in depth consultations with different sectors to ensure that everyone is on board with next weeks’ announcement.
“As already indicated, Lesotho intends to procure vaccines under the existing United Nations arrangements, but also intends to purchase supplies from others where possible. Cabinet will meet to give direction on vaccine procurement and to deal with the massive logistical requirements for rolling out the vaccine,” Majoro said.
He said at this stage, government’s commitment to distribute vaccine during April remains on course. He added that the minister of health will inform the public about government’s plans regarding vaccines in the next few days.
He also pointed that the country’s situation is still very precautious. “Masks must be worn by everyone outside their homes and all protocols by the World Health Organisation must be adhered to,” he further pointed.
