WESTERN CAPE NEWS - Community screening for Covid-19 started in the Western Cape this week. 

The screening process that is being rolled out entails the following:

• Community health workers will go from door to door to ask people standard questions.
• Depending on the answers, some people will be asked to present themselves for testing.
• Testing will be done in either a mobile unit, or at the nearest health facility - community members will be advised where to go.
• At the health facility / mobile unit, social distancing measures will be maintained.
• The test will be performed as a mouth swab, which is clinically safe.
• The community member will be advised to quarantine themselves while they await their test result, which takes approximately two days.
• If the test results are positive for Covid-19, the person will be contacted and the process of isolation will be explained to them. If they are unable to isolate themselves in their current home situation, arrangements will be made for them to be transferred to a safe isolation facility.
• Their recent close contacts will also be contacted by a tracing team.
• This screening is not something to be afraid of. It is part of our country’s effort to stop the spread of the virus, by making sure those who are sick are identified and cared for.

Latest Western Cape statistics

As of today, 6 April, the Western Cape has 475 recorded cases of Covid-19 infections. Currently 26 patients are in hospital, of which 12 are in ICU.

“We are also very sad to note that the Western Cape recorded its second Covid-19 related death over the weekend. The patient was an 82-year-old woman. We convey our sincere condolences to the deceased’s family, friends and community during this very difficult time,” said Winde.

See the breakdown of cases below. 

Fake news strongly condemned

Western Cape Premier Alan Winde said today in a press statement that the spreading of fake news will not be tolerated.

“Over the weekend, we also saw a number of false reports around what the testing entails. One of these was a video indicating that the test swabs are contaminated. We strongly condemn this fake news. The police have indicated that they are investigating this instance of spreading fake news, and I hope the appropriate steps are taken against the person responsible. This kind of messaging is not only inaccurate, it is also dangerous as people could put their own health, and the health of those around them, at risk by not getting tested when they should in fact get tested,” he said.

Healthcare workers

“This week is World Health Worker Week and we would like to use the opportunity to pay tribute to all health workers who make up our healthcare system and thank them for their hard work throughout the year,” Winde said in the press statement. “As we face this global pandemic, we are especially grateful for the work that our medical staff do and for the sacrifices they make.”

He stressed that the best way to support the work these heroes do, is by staying at home and obeying the rules of the lockdown.

“We also call on residents who want to wear masks in public, to make or use cloth ones, and to reserve N95 respirators and medical masks for our staff who need them most,” he said.

Food parcels 

Following the announcement over the weekend of additional funding for food parcels, the Department of Social Development has begun the roll-out of 50 000 food parcels that will sustain an average household for one month.

Households affected by Covid-19 infections must meet the following criteria to receive food parcels:

• A member(s) of the family who tested positive for the virus and are in isolation in their homes.
• A household where a member of the family tested positive for the virus and where the family has insufficient means to sustain themselves during the lockdown period.
• A person who is on medication or who suffers from a chronic illness, has insufficient means to sustain themselves, and was assessed and referred by a local clinic or registered health practitioner.
• A person and their household who have insufficient means to sustain themselves during the lockdown period, have been referred by a registered humanitarian relief agency, registered NPO or a local municipality, and assessed by the Department of Social Development. In this instance, persons not yet in receipt of Sassa grants will be prioritised, including the elderly, child headed houses and grant-awaiting beneficiaries.

Members of the public can phone 0800 220 250 for DSD general queries, and 0860 142 142 for donation requests and offers between 07:00 and 16:00 (Monday to Friday), send a Please Call Me to 079 769 1207, or e-mail covid19donate@westerncape.gov.za

Dear reader, As your local news provider, we have the duty of keeping you factually informed on Covid-19 developments. As you may have noticed, mis- and disinformation (also known as “fake news”) is circulating online. Group Editors (publications and online platforms) is determined to filter through the masses of information doing the rounds and to separate truth from untruth in order to keep you adequately informed. Local newsrooms follow a strict pre-publication fact-checking protocol. A national task team has been established to assist in bringing you credible news reports on Covid-19.

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