WESTERN CAPE NEWS - A 57-year-old man yesterday became the third COVID-19 related death in the Western Cape.
The total number of people infected with the novel coronavirus in the Western Cape now stand at 490 (as of by 12:00 today, 7 April).
In the past 24 hours two more COVID-19 patients have been admitted to hospital, bringing the total number of hospitalised cases in the province to 28. Ten are receiving care in ICU.
Premier Alan Winde expressed the Western Cape Government's heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased.
"While the Western Cape Government, with our partners at a local and national government level, are working hard to mitigate the impact of the virus, it is up to every one of us to help stop the spread. We continue to stress the importance of basic hygiene practices such as thorough hand washing, and sneezing and coughing into an elbow or tissue. We appeal to residents to abide by the lockdown and to practise social distancing when going outside of the home to shop for food, go to the pharmacy, seek medical attention, collect a grant, or go to work in an essential service," said Winde in a statement.
World Health Day is celebrated on 7 April each year. This year, the theme is to support nurses and midwives, recognizing the vital role of nurses and other health workers. World Health Day also promotes healthy living. Western Cape Health Minister Nomafrench Mbombo says nurses and other health workers are at the forefront of the COVID-19 response, providing high-quality, respectful treatment and care, leading community dialogue to address fears and questions, and, in some instances, collecting data for clinical studies. "This World Health Day, let us support the nursing and midwifery workforces to ensure that they remain strong and fully enabled to provide the healthcare that is needed by our people.”
See the breakdowns below.
Community screening
Community screening was conducted today in Philippi, Bishop Lavis, Valhalla Park, Netreg, Kraaifontein, Scottsdene and the Bo-Kaap. Yesterday, screening was conducted in Mbekweni, Kwanonqaba, and Bishop Lavis, Netreg and Valhalla Park. Tomorrow, Elsiesriver, Ruyterwacht, Bothasig, Durbanville, Klipheuwel, Fisantekraal and the Bo-Kaap will be visited for screening.
New areas and sub-districts will be announced regularly.
Fake news
Mbombo welcomed the news of the arrest of a Cape Town man for spreading fake news about the safety of COVID-19 testing. "During this pandemic, it is critical that people are well informed, and armed with the correct information to keep themselves and their families safe. Fake news can have potentially deadly consequences and I remind residents not to share information that does not have an official or identifiable source."
School feeding scheme
This week, approximately 1000 schools across the province will start providing meals to learners as part of the school feeding scheme.
Mbombo says the education districts will work with each school that normally provides food during term time to find the best possible way to implement this humanitarian plan for their vulnerable learners, based on the unique circumstances of the school and its learners. Schools will communicate the plans to their learners' parents. "Nutrition is integral in building the health and wellness of our communities and restarting the school nutrition programme forms part of our humanitarian response to the coronavirus pandemic."
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