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14 August 2020 Media Release: Garden Route Health Platform Update – 14 August 2020

Media Release: Garden Route Health Platform Update

For Immediate Release
14 August 2020

As of 14 August 2020, the Garden Route District has 7520 confirmed cases of Covid-19.

Cases 

Garden Route cases and recoveries per subdistrict.

Bitou 502 cases; 417 recoveries
Knysna 1197 cases; 1001 recoveries
George 2979 cases; 2525 recoveries
Hessequa 222 cases; 175 recoveries
Kannaland 75 cases; 55 recoveries
Mossel Bay 1754 cases; 1393 recoveries
Oudsthoorn 791 cases; 465 recoveries

The Garden Route has recorded 223 Covid-19 deaths.

Hessequa 11
Mossel Bay 49
George 79
Knysna 33
Bitou 16
Oudtshoorn 34
Kannaland 1

Hospitalisation

From our latest available information, there are currently 170 patients admitted in public and private hospitals of which 41 are in High Care/ICU.

Community Testing and Screening

The approach to active Covid-19 case finding within the rural areas remain that of community testing and screening with a focus on people > 55 years and those with high risk (people with co-morbidities). To date 147 772 people have been screened of whom 1284 have been referred for testing.

Isolation and quarantine

People who cannot isolate or quarantine safely at home (risk to themselves or exposure risk to others), can be referred to an isolation or quarantine facility.

Isolation facilities are for patients who have been infected with the COVID-19 virus (with mild to moderate symptoms) where they can recover. Quarantine facilities are for those have been exposed and are awaiting test results. These facilities are safe, have been made as comfortable as possible and you will receive free transport, meals, and a laundry service. PetroSA (West Camp) is currently the only activated isolation and quarantine facility in the Garden Route. More facilities have been identified and will be activated, if and when the need arises or capacity is exceeded at PetroSA. We currently have 68 people at the West Camp facility.

Primary healthcare                                                                                                                                    

Our Primary Health Care platform is an important vehicle to support our health system, provide health services closer to the communities and prevent hospitals from being overwhelmed with services that can be provided outside of acute hospital settings. Although we advise patients to only visit their nearest clinic for essential services at this time; we remind parents and caregivers that services such as immunisations are still rendered. It is important to attend all your confirmed appointments. Services such as women’s health (family planning, antenatal and post-natal care), child health(immunisations) and TB, are still rendered. Stable chronic care patients must collect their chronic medicine at the chronic off-sites. Should you require guidance or advice around your current treatment or scheduled appointment, please contact your clinic/hospital.

Shielding the vulnerable

Persons over the age of 55 or have a chronic condition are at risk for severe COVID-19 illness and should take extra precautions to protect themselves by following these steps:

  1. Avoid getting the virus by staying home, wear a mask (when you have to go out), wash hands regularly and disinfect surfaces
  2. Look after your health by following a healthy lifestyle and take your medication regularly
  3. Get help immediately if you do not feel well
  4. If you develop COVID-19 symptoms, go for immediate screening and testing if required, do not delay

The Department has implemented an action plan for Diabetics (regarded as a high risk group) with COVID symptoms which includes expanding testing for diabetics and closer monitoring.

Next 100 days

The Department has identified the next 100 days as crucial to refocusing the health system and health services while still managing the pandemic with continued interventions to increase immunisation coverage, TB treatment and ART for HIV uptake.

5 ways to stay safe

We urge all citizens to remain careful in observing these precautions of hygiene and safety.

  1. Wear your mask as all times when you leave your home
  2. Keep you social distance from other (1.5m)
  3. Do not touch your face
  4. Wash your hands regularly with soap and water or hand sanitizer
  5. If sick, stay home

Make sure you wear your mask when going out to protect yourself and others. Also remember that spitting is another means of transporting the virus. Do not spit on the ground.

The protection and wellbeing of all our people remains in our collective hands.

-END-

Nadia Ferreira
Principal Communications Officer
Garden Route and Central Karoo Districts
Western Cape Government Health
Town Clinic, Plettenberg Bay
Tel: 076 379 5423
Email: Nadia.Ferreira@westerncape.gov.za 
Website: www.westerncape.gov.za

Picture credit: iStock.com/ra2studio

13 August 2020 Media Release: Tourism Relief Fund assists more than 100 businesses in the Garden Route district

Tourism Relief Fund assists more than 100 businesses in the Garden Route district

For Immediate Release
13 August 2020

The Minister of Tourism Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane on 4 August 2020 made the names of Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) public who benefited through the much-needed Tourism Relief Funding (TRF).

The TRF was established to provide relief to the tourism sector. It provided for a once-off capped grant to SMMEs, which aims to ensure continued operations during the pandemic and also for a while after the pandemic has passed.

Categories that were eligible to apply for the TRF, included the following:

  • Accommodation establishments: Hotels; resort properties; bed and breakfast (B&B’s); guest houses; lodges and backpackers.
  • Hospitality and related services: Restaurants (not attached to hotels); conference venues (not attached to hotels), professional catering; and attractions
  • Travel and related services: Tour operators; travel agents; tourist guiding; car rental companies; and coach operators.

Many of the business will be able to utilise the fund to subsidise expenses towards fixed costs, operational costs, supplies and other pressure cost items. Allocation of funds to ordinary South Africans, was conducted in line with government policies. This ensured that the benefit would be spread geographically across the country to cover even businesses in small villages and townships.

The 4000 beneficiaries per province across the sub-sectors of accommodation, hospitality and travel services, include:

  • Eastern Cape – 457
  • Free State – 134
  • Gauteng – 1017
  • KwaZulu-Natal – 607
  • Limpopo – 294
  • Mpumalanga – 238
  • North West – 162
  • Northern Cape – 124
  • Western Cape – 967

The National Department of Tourism (NDT) remains committed to working with all stakeholders in whatever way possible.  The NDT understands that these are extremely difficult times for the sector and this situation demands everyone works together to revive the economy.

More than 100 businesses in the Garden Route and Klein Karoo region have benefited from the TRF. The list of beneficiaries of this grant, capped at R50, 000 is available online: List of beneficiaries

Here is a copy of the list:

1 113 on Robberg B&B Western Cape Garden Route
2 A Farm Story Western Cape Garden Route
3 A La Delias ( Pty ) Ltd Western Cape Eden District
4 A Pretorius t/a Lentelus guesthouse Western Cape George
5 Abalone Lodges (Pty) Ltd Western Cape Knysna
6 Actebis 123 CC t/as George Lodge International Western Cape Garden Route
7 Africa Safari Connexion Western Cape Eden
8 Alexa Safaris CC Western Cape Garden Route
9 Amot Hospitality (Pty) Ltd Western Cape Eden
10 Augusta View (Pty) Ltd Western Cape George
11 Batavia Boutique Hotel PTY Ltd (2015/443778/07) Western Cape Oudtshoorn
12 Belle Earth (Pty) Ltd Western Cape Garden Route
13 Beverton Holdings (Pty) Ltd Western Cape Eden
14 Blyss Technologies Pty Ltd Western Cape Garden Route
15 Burnt Orange Trading Pty Ltd Western Cape Plettenberg Bay, Bitou Muncipal District
16 Cango Caves Estate PTY (Ltd) Western Cape Garden Route
17 CC Elegant Functions (Pty) Ltd Western Cape Eden
18 Central Award Trade T/A Cango Retreat Western Cape Oudtshoorn
19 Chandelier Game Lodge and Ostrich Show Farm Western Cape Oudtshoorn
20 Chilli and Chive Catering CC Western Cape Eden
21 Club Travel Stilbaai ITC Western Cape Hessequa
22 Cornelia de Bruyn Western Cape Knysna
23 Cornerway House Western Cape Plettenberg Bay
24 Destination Garden Route (Pty) Ltd. Western Cape Garden Route
25 Dolphins’ Playground B&B Western Cape Bitou
26 Domeo Institute Western Cape Garden Route
27 E&S Ras Trust Western Cape George
28 Ebenaeser Toerisme BK t/a De Opstal Country Lodge Western Cape Garden Route
29 Eden Event Management (Pty) Ltd Western Cape Garden Route
30 Edenwood House Western Cape George
31 ELKU Enterprises (Pty) Ltd Western Cape Eden, Kannaland
32 Eternity Star Investments 240 cc Western Cape Mossel Bay
33 F AND C RESTAURANT CC Western Cape SEDGEFIELD, GARDEN ROUTE
34 Fortna 141cc Western Cape Garden Route
35 free diving marine safaris Western Cape Bitou
36 George 1814 Pty Ltd Western Cape Garden Route
37 Glentana Caravan Park Western Cape George
38 Gooseberries Bistro Western Cape Eden
39 Gouritz Rivermouth Property Western Cape Hessaqua
40 HARTENBOS TRAVEL PTY LTD Western Cape Hartenbos
41 Hello Adventure (Pty) Ltd Western Cape Garden Route
42 Hello Garden Route Pty Ltd Western Cape Garden Route
43 HEMISPHERE FOOD AND FINE ART (PTY) LTD Western Cape Plettenberg Bay
44 Hide Away Guest House CC Western Cape Garden Route
45 Highgate Ostrich Show Farm Holdings Western Cape Garden Route
46 Hillview Self Catering Apartments Western Cape Knysna
47 Honey Pot Investments 109 CC Western Cape George
48 Ilana Guest House CC Western Cape Garden Route
49 Isibindi Forest Retreat PTY LTD Western Cape Garden Route
50 Island Lake Holiday Resort Western Cape George
51 Jacobus Adriaan Jordaan Western Cape Hessequa
52 Jembjo’s Knysna Lodge Western Cape Knysna,
53 Jo-Jo’s Bed and Breakfast (Pty) Ltd Western Cape Mossel Bay
54 Karee Manor Guesthouse (Pty) Ltd Western Cape Garden Route
55 Keurbooms Lagoon Caravan Park Western Cape Garden Route
56 Knysna Film Festival Pty Ltd Western Cape Garden Route
57 Knysna Inyathi Guest Lodge CC Western Cape Garden Route
58 Knysna Pocket Breaks (Pty) Ltd Western Cape Knysna
59 Knysna Spring Tide Charters cc Western Cape Knysna
60 KONGAS TOURS Western Cape Garden Route
61 Lakeside Guesthouse Western Cape Knysna
62 Lawnwood Properties Western Cape Bitou
63 Lincha 2 (Pty) Ltd Western Cape Mossel Bay
64 Live The Journey Incentives & Events T/A Thorntree Country Lodge Western Cape Oudtshoorn
65 Lodge at Lily Pond Pty Ltd Western Cape Bitou
66 Longships Self Catering (PTY) LTD Western Cape Garden Route
67 Lungiswa Jijigubo Western Cape Eden (George)
68 Malvern Manor c.c. Western Cape George
69 Michael Glynn Raubenheimer Western Cape Wilderness
70 Miles B&B Guest House Western Cape Eden
71 Moncrieff Manor Western Cape Knysna – Garden Route
72 Moontide Guest Lodge Western Cape George
73 MS van Zyl Western Cape Great Brak River
74 MYMERING GUEST FARM AND WINE ESTATE Western Cape Ladismith
75 Ninas Cafe (Pty) Ltd Western Cape Garden Route
76 Ocean Odyssey Charters cc Western Cape Knysna
77 Oceans Research Institute (Pty) Ltd Western Cape Garden Route
78 Ohannas PTY Ltd Western Cape Garden Route
79 Outeniqua Adventure Tours. Western Cape George
80 Palikari Trading CC t/a Avondblij Guesthouse Western Cape Oudtshoorn
81 Panoramic Blue B&B Western Cape Garden Route
82 Paradise Found Guesthouse Western Cape Knysna
83 Patagonia Restaurant Group (Pty) Ltd Western Cape Garden Route
84 Phillips Guest Cottages cc Western Cape Bitou
85 Plett Hospitality Pty Ltd Western Cape Bitou
86 Plett Shelf 39CC Western Cape Bitou
87 Plett Villas CC Western Cape Garden Route
88 Point of Human Origins (Pty) Ltd Western Cape Garden Route
89 Presidio Granite CC t/a The Green Shed Western Cape Garden Route
90 Protea Wilds Eco Reserve CC Western Cape Eden
91 Purple Moss 1230 CC Western Cape Garden Route
92 Reimax investment Trading Western Cape Garden Route
93 Ritzshelf 50 (Pty) Ltd Western Cape Mossel Bay
94 Riverside Guest Lodge (Pty) Ltd. Western Cape Oudtshoorn
95 S. A. Phelps CC Western Cape Eden
96 SANPAT Western Cape Eden
97 Schulteheim Hotel Pty Ltd Western Cape Uniondale
98 Southern Cross Beach House CC Western Cape Garden Route
99 Sport at Backward Point cc Western Cape Knysna
100 Spring Forest 386 cc t/a Ingwe Adventures Western Cape Bitou
101 Stroebel Cafe cc T/A The Lunar Cafe cc Western Cape Knysna
102 Swallows nest Western Cape Garden Route
103 Thai Eatery (Pty) Ltd Western Cape Garden Route
104 The Diaz Express (Edms) Bpk Western Cape Mossel Bay
105 The Loerie Portfolio (Pty) Ltd Western Cape Garden Route
106 The Owls Inn Country Villa’s & Spa Western Cape Glentana
107 The St James Boutique Hotel of Knysna (Pty) Ltd Western Cape Knysna
108 The Uitsig Wild Farm cc Western Cape Garden Route
109 THe Urban Western Cape Hartenbos
110 T’Niqua Stable Inn Western Cape Garden Route
111 Top Tours Knysna CC Western Cape Garden Route
112 Tranquil Shores Guesthouse Western Cape George
113 Travel Counsellors Mossel Bay Western Cape Tuinroete
114 Travel Ibiki (Pty) Ltd Western Cape Mossel Bay
115 Trisport Western Cape Garden Route
116 True South Destinations Western Cape Garden Route
117 True South Travel Western Cape Eden
118 Tumelo Tladi Industries Pty ltd Western Cape Eden
119 Turnberry Boutique Hotel CC Western Cape Garden route/ Little Karoo
120 Uniondale Hotel Pty Ltd Western Cape Uniondale
121 VILLA XANADU GUESTHOUSE CC Western Cape George
122 Welisa Holdings (Pty) Ltd Western Cape Plettenberg Bay
123 Wentzel Currie Accreditation Service (Pty) Ltd Western Cape Bitou
124 West End Accommodation CC Western Cape George
125 WESTERN CAPE GAME LODGE (PTY)LTD Western Cape Oudtshoorn
126 Whale Rock Guest House CC Western Cape Plettenberg Bay
127 WhiteSands Bed and Breakfast CC Western Cape Garden Route
128 Wilderness Bushcamp Western Cape George
129 Wilderness Sea Paradise Western Cape Garden Route
130 Wilderness Waters Pty Ltd Western Cape Wilderness
131 WILGEWANDEL Western Cape Garden Route
132 Xplore English (Pty) Ltd Western Cape Eden
133 Zakter Properties 159 CC Western Cape De Rust
134 Zoolook Fishing Western Cape Hessequa
135 Zucchini Restaurant Western Cape Garden Route / Eden
136 Zuriglo(Pty)Ltd. Western Cape Garden Route

 

7 August 2020 Media Release: GRDM looses its second employee, Lemos Soko, to COVID-19

Media Release: Garden Route DM loses its second employee, Lemos Soko, to COVID-19

For Immediate Release
7 August 2020

Mr Lemos Soko (47) passed away on 6 August 2020 after battling with COVID-19 in ICU for two weeks. He is the second Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) employee to sadly pass away due to COVID-19 complications. Lemos worked at the GRDM Roads Department since 16 April 1998.

Employees gathered via Zoom today to recollect the fond memories held of Lemos and the impact he had on the institution throughout his 22-year employ. During the meeting, Alderman Memory Booysen (Executive Mayor for GRDM), Mr Monde Stratu (Municipal Manager), Mr John Daniels (Executive Manager for Roads Services), Mr Japie Strydom (Manager: Construction and Mechanical Services) and Mr Gert Verwey (Deputy Manager: Operations) shared their fond memories of him. “He was a gentle giant and always willing to go the extra mile,” are some of Lemos’ key personality traits that GRDM’s representatives shared.

Lemos Soko at work in front of one of the many Roads machines he could operate.

Lemos spent his first few years at GRDM working as part of the Harold Construction Team. Over the past few years he worked alongside a maintenance team in the Friemersheim area. In describing his skills and work ethic, Mr Daniels said, “he was one of the few employees who could operate every roads machine,” and “he went out of his way to ensure that the team’s daily tasks were completed, even though some of these tasks were not his responsibility”.

Mr Simon Mankonkwana, a colleague and best friend of Lemos, described his passing as a huge loss and a void in his life. Lemos also left behind a wife, four (4) children and five (5) grandchildren.

Alderman Booysen shared his condolences and a message of support to everyone present on behalf of Council by saying: “We tend to run out of words during times like these, especially in light of the fact that we are not only loosing colleagues and friends, but also family members.”

“Although we are a big family at the GRDM, we are going to be broken for a long time,” he said.

Ald. Booysen also encouraged employees to try their best to rise above the fear currently experienced, although it is natural to feel scared of such a dreadful disease and its effects on society.  Mayor Booysen said that the GRDM would walk the walk with Lemos’ family and offer its undivided emotional and spiritual support.

iStock.com/ra2studio

7 August 2020 Media Release: Garden Route Health Platform Update 7 August 2020

Media Release: Garden Route Health Platform Update 7 August 2020

For Immediate Release
7 August 2020

 As of 7 August 2020, the Garden Route District has 6919 confirmed cases of Covid-19.

Cases 

Garden Route cases and recoveries per subdistrict.

  • Bitou 467 cases; 342 recoveries
  • Knysna 1119 cases; 820 recoveries
  • George 2819 cases; 2181 recoveries
  • Hessequa 205 cases; 170 recoveries
  • Kannaland 59 cases; 47 recoveries
  • Mossel Bay 1595 cases; 1116 recoveries
  • Oudsthoorn 655 cases; 359 recoveries

The Garden Route has recorded 175 Covid-19 deaths.

Hessequa 8
Mossel Bay 33
George 66
Knysna 29
Bitou 15
Oudtshoorn 23
Kannaland 1

Hospitalisation

From our latest available information, there are currently 153 patients admitted in public and private hospitals of which 47 are in High Care/ICU.

Community Testing and Screening

The approach to active Covid-19 case finding within the rural areas remain that of community testing and screening with a focus on people > 55 years and those with high risk (people with co-morbidities). To date 145 052 people have been screened of whom 1274 have been referred for testing.

Isolation and quarantine

People who cannot isolate or quarantine safely at home (risk to themselves or exposure risk to others), can be referred to an isolation or quarantine facility.

Isolation facilities are for patients who have been infected with the COVID-19 virus (with mild to moderate symptoms) where they can recover. Quarantine facilities are for those have been exposed and are awaiting test results. These facilities are safe, have been made as comfortable as possible and you will receive free transport, meals, and a laundry service.

PetroSA (West Camp) is currently the only activated isolation and quarantine facility in the Garden Route. More facilities have been identified and will be activated, if and when the need arises or capacity is exceeded at PetroSA. We currently have 63 people at the West Camp facility.

Primary healthcare  

Our Primary Health Care platform is an important vehicle to support our health system, provide health services closer to the communities and prevent hospitals from being overwhelmed with services that can be provided outside of acute hospital settings. Although we advise patients to only visit their nearest clinic for essential services at this time; we remind parents and caregivers that services such as immunisations are still rendered. It is important to attend all your confirmed appointments. Services such as women’s health (family planning, antenatal and post-natal care), child health(immunisations) and TB, are still rendered. Stable chronic care patients must collect their chronic medicine at the chronic off-sites. Should you require guidance or advice around your current treatment or scheduled appointment, please contact your clinic/hospital.

Shielding the  vulnerable

Persons over the age of 55 or have a chronic condition are at risk for severe COVID-19 illness and should take extra precautions to protect themselves by following these steps:

  1. Avoid getting the virus by staying home, wear a mask (when you have to go out), wash hands regularly and disinfect surfaces
  2. Look after your health by following a healthy lifestyle and take your medication regularly
  3. Get help immediately if you do not feel well
  4. If you develop COVID-19 symptoms, go for immediate screening and testing if required, do not delay

The Department has implemented an action plan for Diabetics (regarded as a high risk group) with COVID symptoms which includes expanding testing for diabetics and closer monitoring.

Next 100 days          

The Department has identified the next 100 days as crucial to refocusing the health system and health services while still managing the pandemic with continued interventions to increase immunisation coverage, TB treatment and ART for HIV uptake.

We urge all citizens to remain careful in observing the essential 5 Golden Rules of hygiene and safety. It remains important to take particular care of vulnerable and high risk persons with underlying conditions as they are at significantly increased risk of severe COVID-19. We urge vulnerable and most at risk people to really take special care and to shield themselves from exposure where possible.  Make sure you wear your mask when going out to protect yourself and others.

The protection and wellbeing of all our people remains in our collective hands.

 

-END-

Nadia Ferreira
Principal Communications Officer
Garden Route and Central Karoo Districts
Western Cape Government Health
Town Clinic, Plettenberg Bay
Tel: 076 379 5423

Email: Nadia.Ferreira@westerncape.gov.za

Website: www.westerncape.gov.za

Picture credit: iStock.com/ra2studio

28 July 2020 Awareness: Today is World Hepatitis Day

World Hepatitis Day is marked every year to increase awareness and understanding of viral hepatitis and the diseases that it causes.

Worldwide, 290 million people are living with viral hepatitis unaware. Without finding the undiagnosed and linking them to care, millions will continue to suffer, and lives will be lost. On World Hepatitis Day, 28 July, we call on people from across the world to take action and raise awareness to find the “missing millions”. Learn more here: https://www.worldhepatitisday.org/

WHAT IS HEPATITIS?

Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver, most commonly caused by a viral infection. Each type of hepatitis is caused a different virus and the 5 main hepatitis viruses are:

HEPATITIS A is spread mainly through eating food or drinking water that has been contaminated by the faeces of an infected person. It can also be spread by eating raw shellfish that have come from water contaminated by sewage.

Hepatitis A is preventable by vaccine. It spreads from contaminated food or water or contact with someone who is infected.

HEPATITIS B is transmitted through contact with the blood or other body fluids (i.e. saliva, semen and vaginal fluid) of an infected person. It can be passed on from mother to child during childbirth.

Globally some 250 – 400 million people are chronically infected with hepatitis B, with sub-Saharan Africa (sSA) and South-East Asia being disproportionately affected. Compared with the 1.5 million deaths annually due to HIV/AIDS, which are declining, hepatitis B mortality is on the rise with 500 000 – 1.2 million deaths annually. This relates in part to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the fifth most common malignancy and the third leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide, despite the fact that hepatitis B is an entirely vaccine-preventable disease.

HEPATITIS C is mainly spread through blood-to-blood contact. In rare cases it can be transmitted through certain sexual practices and during childbirth.

Hepatitis C can be more severe and is the most deadly, but even those with acute illness can recover without lasting liver damage. Up to 70% of those chronically infected with hepatitis C develop chronic liver disease, and up to 20% develop cirrhosis.

HEPATITIS D is spread through contact with infected blood through unsafe injections or transfusions.

Hepatitis D virus (HDV) is a virus that requires hepatitis B virus (HBV) for its replication. HDV infection occurs only simultaneously or as super-infection with HBV. The virus is most commonly transmitted from mother to child during birth and delivery, as well as through contact with blood or other body fluids.

HEPATITIS E is mainly transmitted through eating food or drinking water that’s been contaminated by the faeces of an infected person. It can also be spread by eating raw shellfish that have come from water contaminated by sewage.

Hepatitis E usually resolves on its own within four to six weeks. Treatment focuses on supportive care, rehydration and rest.

All of these viruses cause short term, or acute infection. However the hepatitis B, C and D viruses can also cause long-term infection, called chronic hepatitis, which can lead to life-threatening complications such as liver failure and liver cancer.

DIAGNOSIS AND SYMPTOMS OF VIRAL HEPATITIS

When a patient reports the following symptoms viral hepatitis is likely and can be confirmed by blood test. These symptoms include:

  • fever,
  • tiredness,
  • abdominal pain,
  • nausea and vomiting,
  • darkening of urine,
  • loss of appetite, and
  • jaundice (yellow colouring of the skin and white of the eyes).

WHEN TO SEE A DOCTOR

If you experience any of these potentially serious symptoms you need to see a doctor immediately:

  • persistent vomiting for longer than 6 hours,
  • extreme drowsiness, confusion or restlessness,
  • unusual bruising or bleeding, and/or
  • if jaundice continues for longer than 3 weeks.

PREVENT HEPATITIS BY:

  • providing safe food and water (hepatitis A and E),
  • practising good hygiene and sanitation,
  • having safe sex,
  • safe vaccinations (hepatitis A, B, and E),
  • avoiding getting tattoos or body piercings from unlicensed facilities,
  • screening of blood donations and provision of sterile injecting equipment, and
  • reducing the risk of infection by not sharing needles, razors etc. with someone’s who’s infected (hepatitis B and C).

It’s important for you to be aware of hepatitis and to learn how you can protect yourself and your family from being infected. Transmission of this virus can be prevented through better awareness and services that improve vaccinations, safer injections and blood transfusions, and to reduce long-term damage and harm.

Watch this video to learn more: https://youtu.be/cVttqfgExL0

27 July 2020 Speech by Mayor Booysen at an Ordinary Council Meeting of Garden Route DM

Thank you Alderman Speaker and once again, good morning to all Councillors present, those in Council Chambers and those who are working from home.

Alderman Speaker, in my culture they say that one builds a relationship by giving a handshake to another or by having eye-to-eye contact. I am now making eye contact with Councillor Wilbert Harris. I would like to relay to him that he is warmly welcomed as a member of our council. We have worked together on other platforms and are not strangers to one another, hence I will relay as Councillor Gericke did, when he congratulated our new Alderladies – let’s continue to do what we are elected to do. I am convinced that you will be able to efficiently do what you were elected to do.

Alderman Speaker, I must remind the people of the Garden Route that we are taking a lot of strain under COVID-19. Our region is still a hotspot and now one of the fastest growing in terms of rising active cases. This has been calculated in terms of COVID-19 cases per 100 000 in our area. We unfortunately keep peaking on a daily basis.

Once again, my plea to Garden Routers is to please abide by what we have been asked to do. We must wear our masks when we go out in public, we must wash our hands frequently for 20 seconds or longer, we must exercise social distancing, and we must look after ourselves when making use of public transport. It is in every individual’s hands to collectively beat this virus together

Alderman Speaker, you did allude to some of our own colleagues who are infected, some are Councillors too. Our prayers are with them and we support them in everything they do. We hope and pray that those in quarantine do not become infectious.

Alderman Speaker, also on another sad note, there was a horrible accident in Plettenberg Bay over the past weekend and I am not going to mention names, because I was not given permission to do so. What I can say is that the lady who died was a personal assistant of mine when I was Mayor for Bitou Municipality. My heartfelt condolences go out to the friends, family and colleagues of the deceased. On behalf of the Garden Route District Municipality, our prayers go out to them – may the Lord give them strength over this time.

Alderman Speaker, we also buried our former Integrated Development Manager the past weekend in Molteno, one of the last items he prepared for today’s meeting. I want to say that those of us who had been to Mr Cekiso’s funeral followed all necessary protocols and safety measures on the day. We did not even get out of our vehicles at the cemetery or anything. Apart from us being sanitised our clothes and the area around us were disinfected.

Thank you Alderman Speaker.

27 July 2020 Media Release: Alderlady status conferred upon two (2) additional Councillors of the Garden Route District Municipality

Media Release: Alderlady status conferred upon two (2) additional Councillors of the Garden Route District Municipality

For Immediate Release
27 July 2020

Alderlady status conferred upon two (2) additional Councillors of the Garden Route District Municipality. They include Alderladies Jennifer Harnick & Iona Kritzinger.

The bestowment of Alderman or Alderlady statuses occurs upon the commencement of a councillor’s term as Executive Mayor, Executive Deputy Mayor or Speaker of Council. Furthermore, any Councillor who obtains a minimum of ten (10) points on the following scale, also qualifies for the conferment: One (1) point for every year of service as a Councillor at one or more municipalities and it need not be continuous; and one (1) additional point for every year of service as a member of the Mayoral Committee.

Aldermen/Alderladies also receive the following privileges:

  • provision of a special parking space in the municipal parking area on prior arrangement;
  • provision of agendas even after retirement in electronic format if so required;
  • Alderman/Alderlady is kept on municipal invitation lists; and
  • reserving of special seats at Council Meetings should a member so wish; issuing of an Honorary certificate.

iStock.com/ra2studio

24 July 2020 Media Release: Garden Route Health Platform Update

Media Release: Garden Route Health Platform Update

For Immediate Release
24 July 2020

As of 24 July 2020, the Garden Route District has 4563 confirmed cases of Covid-19.

Cases 

Garden Route cases and recoveries per subdistrict.

  • Bitou 304 cases; 171 recoveries
  • Knysna 767 cases; 412 recoveries
  • George 2026 cases; 1304 recoveries
  • Hessequa 109 cases; 66 recoveries
  • Kannaland 45 cases; 28 recoveries
  • Mossel Bay 978 cases; 526 recoveries
  • Oudsthoorn 334 cases; 195 recoveries

The Garden Route has recorded 108 Covid-19 deaths.

Hessequa 3
Mossel Bay 15
George 49
Knysna 17
Bitou 10
Oudtshoorn 14

Hospitalisation

There are currently 109 patients admitted in public and private hospitals with 35 in High Care/ICU.

Community Testing and Screening

The approach to active Covid-19 case finding within the rural areas remain that of community testing and screening with a focus on people > 55 years, the vulnerable and those of high risk (people with co-morbidities). To date 142 310 people have been screened and 1223 referred for testing.

Isolation and quarantine

Isolation facilities are for patients with mild to moderate symptoms where they can recover from Covid-19 and quarantine facilities are for those awaiting test results. These facilities are safe and comfortable and you will receive free transport, meals, and a laundry service. People who cannot isolate or quarantine safely at home, can be referred to a isolation or quarantine facility.

PetroSA (West Camp) is currently the only activated isolation and quarantine facility in the Garden Route. More facilities will be announced, if and when the need arises or capacity is exceeded at PetroSA. We currently have 68 people at West Camp.

Primary healthcare                                                                                                        

Our Primary Health Care platform is an important vehicle to support our health system, so that our patients are well cared for to prevent hospitals from being overwhelmed. Although we advise patients to only visit their nearest clinic for essential services we remind parents and caregivers that services such as immunisations are still rendered. It is important to attend all your confirmed appointments. Services such as women’s health(family planning, antenatal and post-natal care), child health(immunisations) and TB, are still rendered. Stable chronic care patients must collect their chronic medicine at the chronic off-sites. Should you require guidance or advice around your current treatment or scheduled appointment, please contact your clinic/hospital.

Shielding the vulnerable

Persons over the age of 55 or have a chronic condition are at risk for severe COVID-19 illness and should take extra precautions to protect themselves by following these steps:

  1. Avoid getting the virus by staying home, wear a mask (when you have to go out), wash hands regularly and disinfect surfaces
  2. Look after your health by following a healthy lifestyle and take your medication regularly
  3. Get help immediately if you do not feel well
  4. If you develop COVID-19 symptoms, go for immediate testing, do not delay

The Department has implemented an action plan for Diabetics with COVID symptoms which includes expanding testing for diabetics who represent a high risk group. Our current data suggests that these patients are presenting or are being admitted too late in a very sick conditions, which has dire outcomes.

Next 100 days

The Department has identified the next 100 days as crucial to refocusing the health system and health services while still managing the pandemic with continued interventions to increase immunisation coverage, TB treatment and ART uptake.

We urge all citizens to remain careful in observing the essential 5 Golden Rules of hygiene and safety. It remains important to take particular care of persons with underlying conditions and particularly Diabetes, who are at significantly increased risk of severe COVID-19. We urge these people to really take special care and to shield themselves from exposure where possible.

The protection of our most vulnerable loved ones remains in our collective hands.

-END-

Nadia Ferreira
Principal Communications Officer
Garden Route and Central Karoo Districts
Western Cape Government Health
Town Clinic,Plettenberg Bay
Tel: 044 5333846

Picture credit: iStock.com/ra2studio