Botswana records first coronavirus death, president initiates lockdown

President Mokgweetsi Masisi of Botswana has initiated a lockdown after the country recorded its first coronavirus death on Wednesday.

This is coming just hours after the health minister confirmed the country's its first cases on Tuesday.

The victim, a 79-year-old woman, travelled to neighbouring South Africa and on returning home she had developed a fever, according to Botswana’s Vice-President Slumber Tsogwane.

She died four days later after being placed on mandatory quarantine at a hospital, becoming the country's fourth case.

President Masisi on Tuesday declared a state of emergency and an extreme lockdown for 28 days.

Only people offering essential services have been exempted from the lockdown which starts on Thursday.

BBC