WESTERN CAPE NEWS - Western Cape premier, Alan Winde, today received a donation of ventilators from the Consul General of the United States, Virginia Blaser.
These 20 ventilators form part of a donation of 50 ventilators which the United States has made to South Africa.
These ventilators were accepted by doctors from the Tygerberg and to Groote Schuur hospitals, where they will be used to treat seriously ill, and ICU patients.
"The ventilators are smaller and more portable than many of the ventilators that we currently have in our healthcare system, allowing for intubation and non-invasive ventilation and therefore will give doctors treating patients a greater degree of flexibility when moving patients and determining the best treatment options (see attached fact sheet about the ventilators)," says Winde in his latest statement.
"The Western Cape has been working hard to prepare our healthcare systems, and these new ventilators will allow us to deliver potentially life-saving treatment to many more people. We thank the United States consulate in South Africa for their assistance during this pandemic, and for their partnership which stretches back many years.
"Consul General Virginia Blaser said: "While today we mark the donation of 20 ventilators, we are really marking 20 years of life saving partnership between the United States and the Western Cape. Through PEPFAR, we are supporting over 4.7 million people living with HIV in South Africa. It is my hope that these ventilators will also offer life-saving support in the battle against COVID-19"."
Chrysalis graduates deployed to Khayelitsha
Today, Minister of Community Safety Albert Fritz announced that 60 Chrysalis graduates have been deployed to various shopping centres and community health facilities in Khayelitsha as part of our hotspot strategy. These graduates have undergone training and will help to build awareness of COVID-19 and encouraging people to adhere to social distancing protocols.
"On the eve of Youth Day, it is so encouraging to see young people playing their part in communities to slow the spread of the virus and ultimately, save lives," says Winde.
"The hotspot strategy is all about using partnerships and encouraging a whole of society approach. The Department of Community Safety has worked closely with the Department of Health, the Khayelitsha Development Forum, Medicins Sans Frontiers, and of course, the Chrysalis Academy, to bring this deployment about. We wish these young people well and thank them for helping to protect communities in the Western Cape.
"The Western Cape Government is rolling out a number of interventions in the province's hotspots which are aimed at encouraging behavioural change to slow the spread of the coronavirus. We have already introduced the Red Dot taxi service to transport heatlhcare workers, and a major communications campaign which will include nearly 10 000 street pole posters in hotspot communities and new radio advertisements using healthcare workers. By staying safe, we will be able to protect our high risk loved ones and save lives."
Western Cape infection update
As of 13:00 on 15 June, the Western Cape has 13166 active cases of COVID-19, with a total of 42 892 confirmed cases and 28 615 recoveries.
* Total confirmed COVID-19 cases - 42892
* Total recoveries - 28615
* Total deaths - 1111
* Total active cases (currently infected patients) - 13166
* Tests conducted - 245536
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