By XINHUA

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Gaborone,

Botswana will close schools this Friday for one month due to a spike in Covid-19 cases.

In a national address Tuesday, President Mokgweetsi Masisi said schools will be closed until August 16 as the country battles its deadliest Covid-19 wave.

He said the country has found itself in a dire situation of rapidly rising cases and inadequate vaccines.

As of Monday, the country had registered a total of 80,153 confirmed cases and 1,253 deaths. Active cases reached an all-time high of 8,970 with an average of more than 1,000 daily cases in the past three days.

Masisi said the government would prioritise vaccinating teachers during the closure of schools as the virus has been widespread in learning institutions.

Stakeholders have been calling for the closure of schools following the death of at least 64 teachers by the end of last week.

Like many African countries, Botswana is facing a challenge of vaccine shortage. Although the uncertain availability of vaccines makes it difficult for the country's vaccine rollout plan to go on smoothly, the government remains hopeful that all those eligible will be vaccinated by the end of 2022.

The president also told the nation that Covid-19 has severely battered the country's economy and there is no sign of a quick recovery. He urged residents to remain vigilant and do their best to contain the spread of the virus.