COVID-19 Situation Update: Issue 4

WHO reports that cases and deaths are decreasing in the Kingdom of Lesotho. The top four districts with the highest case load are Maseru, Leribe, Butha Buthe and Qacha’s Nek. From epidemiological week 3 (24th January) to week 13 (3rd April), the country has experienced a steady decrease in the number of cases except during week 11 due to clusters of cases(outbreaks) in six schools in Leribe district. As will be noted in figure 1, the highest number of cases were recorded in epi week 52 and 53 while the lowest number of confirmed cases were recorded in March 2021 (248). On March 10, 2021, the country launched COVID-19 vaccine targeting health workers and other selected priority groups.

In anticipation of the high influx of travellers into the country during the Easter holidays, districts developed preparedness plans to handle such travellers with specific emphasis on strengthening the testing capacities and screening at the points of entry including linking suspected cases and those testing positive with health facilities across the country.