Botswana confirms first coronavirus death

Botswana has announced its first Coronavirus death just hours after confirming its first cases.

The victim was an elderly woman who was discovered to have had coronavirus after her death.

Botswana’s Vice-President Slumber Tsogwane said the 79-year-old had travelled to neighbouring South Africa and on returning home she developed a fever.

The woman was put under mandatory quarantine at the hospital where she died four days later.

Mr Tsogwane said the woman was buried as a person with a suspected infectious disease even before her tests results came out.

Her results were announced on Tuesday evening – making her the fourth coronavirus case in Botswana.

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

The lockdown that starts on Thursday will see everyone barred from leaving their house except those offering essential services.