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29 May 2020 Media Release: Seventh week of community screening and testing

Media Release: Seventh week of community screening and testing

For Immediate Release
29 May 2020

Community health workers across the Garden Route District have screened 92 441 people and referred 486 for testing as of 28 May 2020.

‘We would like to express our utmost appreciation and thanks to our health teams who have done great work under very challenging conditions to serve our communities by screening and educating as many people as possible,’ said District Manager, Mr Zee Brickles.

 Community screening and testing (CST) is in its seventh week and health teams have been to the most vulnerable communities. During the CST, the support of the community is essential for the success in stopping the spread of the virus.

‘We would like to thank our communities for allowing our health care workers to screen them. We remind our communities to adhere to our 5 golden rules of good hygiene as we move towards  the expected peak.  Please continue to support each other as this pandemic affects us all,’  said Brickles.

5 Golden Rules of Good Hygiene:

  1. Wash your hands regularly with soap and water.
  2. Keep surfaces clean.
  3. Do not touch your face.
  4. Cough and sneeze into your bent elbow.
  5. Keep 1,5 m away from people and wear a mask when in public.

When facing a threat on a global scale, such as Covid-19, it is normal to feel anxious, scared, confused, and overwhelmed. Even more so with the overload of information available and our numbers of positive cases increasing in the Province. However, by limiting your exposure to other people, you can protect your family and yourself.  It is important that we stand together and that we support each other, especially our neighbours and friends who have tested positive for Covid-19. Anyone can be infected with Covid-19 and anyone can carry the virus, even without showing symptoms. The Coronavirus does not discriminate between age, gender, race, or disability. People who are especially vulnerable are those with underlying medical conditions, such as hypertension, diabetes, lung disease, TB, and HIV.  We should not stigmatise people who have tested positive. We must offer our support. Although you should avoid physical contact, you can support them by messaging or calling to ask how they are doing. As they and the rest of their household will be in isolation, you can offer to help by buying food or medication and dropping it off at their door. Remember, we are in this together and must support each other.

Garden Route screening statistics from 6 April to 28 May 2020

  •  Bitou subdistrict: 18 634 people screened and 45 referred for testing
  • George subdistrict: 16 769 people screened and 98 referred for testing
  • Kannaland subdistrict: 3 039 people screened and 5 referred for testing
  • Mossel Bay subdistrict: 15 081 people screened and 177 referred for testing
  • Hessequa subdistrict: 18 934 people screened and 131 referred for testing
  • Knysna subdistrict: 5 619 people screened and 20 referred for testing
  • Oudtshoorn subdistrict: 14 365 people screened and 10 referred for testing

 

Community Screening and Testing for 1 to 5 June 2020:

 1 June: De Rust, Oudtshoorn, Dysselsdorp, Heidelberg, Pacaltsdorp, Alma, Sedgefield

  • 2 June: De Rust, Oudtshoorn, Dysselsdorp, Heidelberg, Pacaltsdorp, Alma, Sedgefield
  • 3 June: De Rust, Oudtshoorn, Dysselsdorp, Heidelberg, Pacaltsdorp, Alma, Sedgefield
  • 4 June: De Rust, Oudtshoorn, Dysselsdorp, Heidelberg, Pacaltsdorp, Alma
  • 5 June: De Rust, Oudtshoorn, Dysselsdorp, Pacaltsdorp, Alma

-END-

Nadia Ferreira
Principal Communications Officer
Garden Route and Central Karoo Districts
Western Cape Government Health
Town Clinic,Plettenberg Bay

Tel: 044 533 3846