1 June 2020

As of 1pm on 1 June, the Western Cape has 10 135 active cases of COVID-19, with a total of 22 087 confirmed cases and 11 431 recoveries.

Sub Districts Cape Town Metro:

Sub-districts:

Unallocated: 2028 (653 recovered)

Additional data can be found on the dashboard at www.westerncape.gov.za/coronavirus.

The Western Cape has recorded an additional 33 COVID-19 deaths-bringing the total number of deaths from the virus in the province to 521. We send our condolences to their loved ones at this time.

National Minister of Health, Dr Zweli Mkhize visits the Western Cape:

Today, National Health Minister Zweli Mkhize visited the province to see our preparations for the peak of the COVID-19 curve. During the visit, he was able to see the CTICC hospital which will provide over 850 beds for CVOID-19 positive patients. He was also able to see the now complete 60 bed Khayelitsha temporary hospital which has been built by Medicins Sans Frontiers at the City of Cape Town’s Thusong Centre, and which will be operated in conjunction with the Department of Health in the province, giving care to COVID-19 positive patients in the area.

Minister Mkhize was also able to see the quarantine and isolation facility which has been sponsored by Old Mutual as well as the Brackengate site where work is currently underway on a 300 bed temporary hospital.

We were also able to brief Minister Mkhize on our hotspot plan and had the opportunity to discuss some of the risks in the system, such as the backlog in testing as a result of the NHLS backlogs and shortages of testing kits and reagents required for testing.

We are working closely with the National Department of Health ensuring that all of the nuts and bolts of our response are in place and that our approaches are aligned.

These sites are part of our ongoing preparations to ensure that at the peak, which is expected at the end of June, beginning of July in the Western Cape, we are able to offer care to those that require it.

Premier Winde meets with 200 nurses undergoing orientation at CTICC hospital:

Today, I had the opportunity to briefly address 200 nurses who are undergoing orientation training to work at the CTICC hospital. I would like to take this opportunity to again thank all of the nurses, doctors, and healthcare workers who have stepped up to the frontline. We are grateful for your commitment, your care and your work ethic and we thank you for the role you have played in the province thus far, and for the role you will continue to play going forward.

Alcohol sales:

From early this morning we have seen long queues forming around liquor stores across the country as alcohol sales have been re-opened. During the lockdown period, when alcohol sales were banned, we saw a significant dip in the number of people visiting emergency and trauma units. We will be keeping a close eye on the situation as alcohol is responsible for many harms in our communities, including violence, abuse, and road accidents. All of these have the potential to result in increased pressure on our hospital facilities. Western Cape residents must adhere to all of the rules of sale, and, if we find that alcohol is not used responsibly, and there is an associated increase in trauma cases at our hospitals, we will explore the options available to reduce this impact.

The alert level 3 restrictions rely on the people of this province to act with responsibility. This means being responsible when leaving the house and ensuring that we are practicing social distancing, wearing our masks and washing our hands regularly. This also means behaving responsibly by avoiding large gatherings, obeying the regulations which are in place and drinking responsibly so that we are all contributing meaningfully towards the fight against COVD-19 in the province.

Children’s Commissioner:

We would like to warmly welcome Christina Nomdo who started work as the province’s first ever Children’s Commissioner today and wish her well in this new role. Her first day coincides with the start of Child Protection Week in the country which is aimed at highlighting the plight of children in South Africa and the risks that they face in their homes and in their communities. It also coincides with a return to school for some learners in the province following the nationwide lockdown and the lifting of the ban on alcohol sales. For many the return to school is a welcome return to learning, and the regular meals provided by the School Nutrition Programme but we understand that there is still a lot of fear and anxiety for both parents and learners at this time. Alcohol is a driver of violence and as alcohol sales re-open it is up to every single one of us to ensure that children do not become the victims of abuse. The Children’s Commissioner post has been created to give a voice to the children of the Western Cape, and we look forward to working with the Children’s Commissioner to ensure that the issues children are currently facing are researched, understood and advocated for.

30 May 2020

As of 1pm on 30 May, the Western Cape has 8480 active cases of COVID-19, with a total of 19460 confirmed cases and 10 508  recoveries.

Sub Districts Cape Town Metro:

Sub-districts:

Unallocated: 853 (312 recovered)

Additional data can be found on the dashboard at www.westerncape.gov.za/coronavirus.

The Western Cape has recorded an additional 35 COVID-19 deaths-bringing the total number of deaths from the virus in the province to 472. We send our condolences to their loved ones at this time.

Back to school:

On Monday, learners in Grades 7 and 12 will return to school as part of a phased process. The Department of Education in the Western Cape has put in place a number of safety measures to ensure that learners and school staff are protected. We understand that for many parents, and teachers, there will be concern and anxiety associated with this return.

The Department in the province has spent R280 million so far to procure PPE and cleaning materials including 2.4 million face masks, 7013 thermometers which will be used to screen staff and learners and schools daily, as well as millions of litres of disinfectant, hand sanitizers and soaps for cleaning and personal hygiene. Measures have been put in place to ensure social distancing in schools and the department is engaging with learner transport to ensure that this is also conducted safely.

Measures have also been put in place to accommodate learners and staff with underlying illnesses which might make them more vulnerable to infection.

The Department, principals, teachers and staff are all working hard to ensure that a return to school and to learning does not come with increased risk. During this time, we encourage parents to talk to their children about the return to school and how they can best protect themselves while at school. This includes discussions about regular handwashing, ensuring that distancing is practiced at all times, and that masks are worn correctly.

Resources and guidelines can be found at: https://wcedonline.westerncape.gov.za/back-school

Alert level 3:

On Monday, the whole country will also move to Alert level 3. We welcome the move because we are hyper-aware of the humanitarian crisis that has been a by-product of closing down large sections of the economy during the lockdown. The move to level 3 must be carefully managed which is why the Western Cape Government’s targeted hotspot plan will continue in areas where infections are highest. This plan however requires the support and assistance of all residents of these hotspot areas and the rest of the province.

With the Western Cape peak of the virus anticipated for the end of June/ beginning of July- precautionary measures must be taken by every single person to protect themselves and their loved ones.

During a briefing last night by the National Health Minister Zweli Mkize and members of the Ministerial Advisory Committee, we heard that 20% to 50% of infections are asymptomatic- with the carriers unknowingly spreading the virus. They also indicated that each person could potentially infect two other people. These two people could be our elderly parents, or loved ones with underlying illnesses who have a much higher risk of becoming seriously ill. Our own behaviour can stop this from happening and can save lives.

This virus is going to be with us for several more months and we need to adapt and change our behaviour. The world has changed and ‘business as usual” must become a thing of the past. We must be rigourous about hygiene and handwashing. Social distancing and wearing of masks must become second nature and we must do these things instinctively. This is how we will be able to flatten the curve and slow the spread of the virus.

29 May 2020

As of 1pm on 29 May, the Western Cape has active 8083 cases of COVID-19, with a total of 18350 confirmed cases and 9830 recoveries.

Sub Districts Cape Town Metro:

Sub-districts:

Unallocated: 588 (264 recovered

Additional data can be found on the dashboard at www.westerncape.gov.za/coronavirus.

The Western Cape has recorded an additional 34 COVID-19 deaths-bringing the total number of deaths from the virus in the province to 437. We send our condolences to their loved ones at this time.

Recoveries:

The Western Cape now has over 1700 more recovered patients than active COVID-19 infections in the province. While we are pleased that nearly 10 000 people have now beaten this virus, we must not become complacent.

The Western Cape’s new scenario planning has indicated that we expect to experience our peak at the end of June or beginning of July. At this peak, these models indicate that we will require 7800 hospital beds at our peak and 9300 people could die. The Western Cape has worked hard to prepare its systems in line with our initial projections based on available evidence at that stage, which predicted a lower demand on our healthcare services. We will now look at all of the available options to us to determine how best to further strengthen our health systems response and will communicate these soon.

Changing behaviour to save lives:

The biggest determining factor in how the Western Cape pandemic proceeds is the behavior of individuals. The Western Cape Government will take decisions with the best interests of the people of this province at heart, but how we all act now will help to save lives.

On Monday, the whole country will move to alert level 3. Regulations will be more relaxed but we absolutely must not become complacent. We cannot view this as a return to the way things were. In fact, the move to alert level 3 requires all of us to work even harder to protect ourselves and our loved ones.

For those who are in the high risk groups- being over the age of 55 or with an underlying illness- it is most important that you continue to stay at home unless it is absolutely necessary to go out. Businesses who employ people in these groups must find ways to allow them to work from home or take additional precautions to keep them safe during this time.

As more sections of the economy open up, public spaces will become busier and more people will be outside of their homes. We all have to take responsibility and ensure that we are taking all the necessary steps to stay safe. Hand washing, hygiene, keeping a distance of at least 1.5 metres from any other person, and correctly wearing your clean, cloth mask are simple steps that can have a big impact.

Businesses, schools and places of worship that will be re-opening under alert level 3 must ensure that they are properly prepared, that they are strictly enforcing the rules and that they are advocates for the safety of their clientele, believers and learners’ safety at all times.

28 May 2020

As of 1pm on 28 May, the Western Cape has 7726 active cases of COVID-19, with a total of 17286 confirmed cases and 9157 recoveries.

Sub Districts Cape Town Metro:

Sub-districts:

Unallocated: 605 (201 recovered)

Additional data can be found on the dashboard at www.westerncape.gov.za/coronavirus.

The Western Cape has recorded an additional 16 COVID-19 deaths-bringing the total number of deaths from the virus in the province to 403. We extend our condolences to the family and friends of the deceased at this time.

Please see the statement issued earlier today on the Western Cape’s new scenario expectations here: https://coronavirus.westerncape.gov.za/news/western-cape-scenarios-covid-19-peak-we-need-your-help-save-lives

Media Release: Statement by Premier Alan Winde

Western Cape scenarios for Covid-19 peak: we need your help to save lives

28 May 2020

Over a month ago, the Western Cape Government provided an update to the media on its scenario planning for the Covid-19 pandemic, projecting on the number of hospitalisations expected during the course of the pandemic and therefore what would be required by our healthcare system to respond at the peak.

This update was done on the best available evidence at the time, mainly drawing on international data and experiences to better understand the trajectory of the virus in our context. As we mentioned at the briefing, this would be updated continuously as the situation changes and more evidence becomes available – both in South Africa and globally.

Our initial projections based on this data regarding bed shortfalls were as follows:

• We would have a shortfall of 1000 general care beds at the peak.
• We would have a shortfall of 750 ICU beds at the peak.

With more evidence available to us, especially with respect to hospitalisations and deaths, we can now provide a further update. This is part of our continued efforts to be open and transparent with the people of the Western Cape as we navigate this uncertain time together. Our government views every person as a partner, with the ability to help make a difference.

Over the course of the last few weeks, we have also taken several steps to ensure our modelling and projections are of the highest possible standard. Fortunately, South Africa has many top scientists and we have sought to leverage these great minds. We therefore have been engaging with both the Actuarial Society of South Africa (ASSA) and the National Covid-19 Modelling Consortium, to compare our assumptions and projections for the peak of the pandemic in the Western Cape.

The findings of these two modelling exercises have been different:

• The ASSA model is projecting a notably higher peak in the province than the Western Cape’s initial projection (based on the available data a month ago).
• The National Consortium model’s peak is lower than the ASSA model’s projection, but it is still higher than the Western Cape’s initial projection (based on the available data a month ago).

It is important to keep in mind that modelling is based on a number of assumptions, which are not certain at this time. This includes various factors such length of stay in a hospital facility and the percentage of symptomatic versus asymptomatic cases in the population.

These uncertainties must be kept in mind and new data must always be factored in as the pandemic progresses.

We have been tracking our own initial projections against the current deaths and hospitalisations at this moment in time:

• Our initial provisioning scenario is tracking the actual number of deaths and hospitalisations in the province consistently to date. Currently the number of deaths is slightly lower than our initial model projected, but this might be explained by reporting lags.
• This scenario was a conservative one to ensure adequate provisioning, and the fact that we are close to this level of demand on our platform requires us to consider if further provisioning is necessary.

It is important to note that both the ASSA model and the National Consortium model projections are consistent with our initial projections at this stage of the curve. To put it differently, all three of our curves are at similar points at this stage of the pandemic, but they diverge as they approach their respective peaks.

This leaves our government in a very difficult position. We have taken significant steps to make sure we are prepared for the peak based on the best available evidence and modelling, but it is difficult to know exactly how pronounced the peak will be at this stage.

To try and create more certainty, we have since worked with the National Consortium to calibrate our models based on new data now available on Covid-19 in the Western Cape, including hospitalisations and deaths. This was done because their modelling is also being used by the National Government.

The calibrated modelling exercise has therefore projected the following:

• A peak towards the end of June, beginning of July 2020.
• There will be a requirement of approximately 7800 beds at the peak of the pandemic. We had previously worked on a 6200-bed requirement.
• Cumulative deaths of approximately 9300 people in the Western Cape.

Based on the original scenario plan we presented to you before, the Western Cape Government intervened quickly to ensure we prepared additional facilities for the peak we might be expecting, including the 850 intermediate care beds at the CTICC temporary hospital and the 300 intermediate care beds at the Brackengate warehouse. However, this collaborated modelling points to the need for additional capacity.

My cabinet will now meet to consider these new projections, and together with the National Government, including the National Treasury, we will consider both whether, and then when and how, to bring online additional bed capacity.

There are other risks that must be factored in, however:

• We recognise that the ideal scenario would be to wait until we are closer to the projected divergence point in the models to see if this additional investment will be required. Unfortunately, a wait-and-see approach will not be possible because the different modelling projections have curves that are largely similar up until a very distinct point, at which they quickly move away from each other. This will leave us with no time to take a different course – we must choose our course soon. Put differently, there isn’t a noticeable “trigger” point to bring additional beds online.
• Additional beds require additional doctors and healthcare staff. The CTICC temporary hospital will have more than 900 staff. Finding additional staff is most probably the most difficult part of any additional scale-up. We must also factor in the fact that some healthcare workers will get infected with Covid-19 and they will not be able to work.
• The private sector has additional capacity, but it is costly. This would require significant additional resources.

We will provide further updates on our modelling, projections and further interventions taken following a number of important engagements over the next week. Our priority remains being fully open and transparent with you during this difficult time.

As we communicated to you last week, we have already adjusted our health strategy that will focus on protecting high-risk individuals, including those who are older than 55 and those with underlying conditions. It is these individuals who are more likely to be hospitalised and get seriously sick. Our targeted hotspots interventions, including community screening and testing, have already been repurposed to meet this imperative. Our focus is now on saving lives.

But I want to be very honest with you now, we simply cannot fight this pandemic alone. We need each and every person to help us. When you keep yourself safe, you keep your loved ones safe too. When you follow the golden rules of good hygiene, wear a cloth mask, and keep a distance, you prevent someone who might need to be hospitalised from getting the virus. You can help us flatten the curve, and your behaviour will save lives.

So I am calling on you today. If you have not taken this seriously yet, take it seriously now. Its going to get much worse before it gets better. We need you to slow the spread of this virus to protect the ones you love.

How can you help?

• Stay home as much as possible.
• If you are an employer, make sure that your workplace is strictly adhering to all guidelines to ensure cloth mask usage, hygiene and distancing.
• If you should not leave your home unless absolutely necessary if you are in a high-risk group category, particularly with underlying health conditions.
• Always wear a clean cloth mask when in public. Keep it over both your nose and mouth and don’t touch it.
• Keep your distance. Always. There is nothing more respectful, and caring, to do right now than to tell someone to keep away from you.
• Always follow the golden rules of hygiene, by washing your hands, sneezing into a tissue, and not touching your face.
• If you do get sick, stay home and call our hotline on 021 928 4102 for advice. You don’t want to pass the virus onto any person.
• But if you get very sick, and you are battling to breathe, seek urgent healthcare.

If every single one of us takes up this responsibility now, the worst-case scenario peak can be avoided, and we can save lives.

Please keep safe. Keep your loved ones safe. Save lives.