Skip to content Skip to left sidebar Skip to footer

Covid-19

27 August 2020 Media Release: Minister Simmers conduct COVID-19 awareness in George

Media Release: Minister Simmers conduct COVID-19 awareness in George

For Immediate Release
27 August 2020

Today the Western Cape Minister of Human Settlements, Tertuis Simmers, in his capacity as the Provincial Government’s lead in the covid response for the Garden Route conducted an awareness campaign in Pacaltsdorp and Thembalethu, George.

Minister Simmers, who was accompanied by the Garden Route District Mayor, Memory Booysen and the George Municipal Mayor, Leon van Wyk, along with various MAYCO members, Councillors and the Premier’s Community Liaison Officers (CLO’s) distributed masks and information pamphlets, while also supporting a local boerewors seller in Thembalethu.

Minister Simmers said: “It was enjoyable to engage residents and remind them of the importance of adhering to all covid regulations. The only way we will fully overcome this virus, is if we all play our part. It is critical that we continue keeping the spotlight on this virus, as we have to push the infection rate down. This is truer now, particularly since the alert level has been relaxed and more people can move around. I also enjoyed the boerewors roll and I encourage all residents to support their local and small businesses, but it must be done in a responsible manner.”

The Garden Route’s total cases, as at 4 pm on 26 August 2020 was 8659 with 7440 recoveries. George’s total cases at the same time, was 3249, with 2903 recoveries.

Minister Simmers added: “It was deeply concerning to see a number of people walking in their respective communities not wearing masks. I’d like to implore all residents to not take this virus lightly. I’d also like to thank both the Garden Route District and George Mayors, along with the various MAYCO members and Councillors as well as the Premier’s CLO’s for their support today.

We have to ensure that the message to fight COVID-19 remains a priority for all while wearing our masks, keeping a safe distance of at least 1.5 metres apart, wash our hands with soap for a minimum of 20 seconds or sanitise our hands, remain at home if there’s no need for us to be out and about and should we display any symptoms, to immediately consult a health practitioner.”

Media Enquiries:

Marcellino Martin

Spokesperson for Minister Tertuis Simmers

Marcellino.martin@westerncape.gov.za

021 483 3397 (o) / 082 721 3362 (m)

Or

Nathan Adriaanse

Director Communication & Stakeholder Relations

Tell: 021 483 2868 / Mobile: 083 2631720

Email: Nathan.Adriaanse@westerncape.gov.za

26 August 2020 Media Release: Update on the coronavirus by Premier Alan Winde

Media Release: Update on the coronavirus by Premier Alan Winde

26 August 2020

As of 1pm on 26 August, the Western Cape has 4675 active cases of COVID-19, with a total of 102 976 confirmed cases and 94 500  recoveries.

Total confirmed COVID-19 cases 102 976
Total recoveries 94500
Total deaths 3761
Total active cases (currently infected patients) 4675
Tests conducted 473109
Hospitalisations 997 with 187 in ICU or high care

Cape Metro Sub-districts:

 Sub-district Cases Recoveries
Western 9000  8332
Southern 9279  8495
Northern 6387  6000
Tygerberg 12915  12014
Eastern 9781  9006
Klipfontein 8923  8120
Mitchells Plain 8315  7725
Khayelitsha 8182  7645
Total 72782 67337

Sub-districts:

 District  Sub-district Cases Recoveries
Garden Route Bitou 561 498
Garden Route Knysna 1333 1199
Garden Route George 3249 2903
Garden Route Hessequa 269 213
Garden Route Kannaland 102 95
Garden Route Mossel Bay 2058 1794
Garden Route Oudsthoorn 1087 738
Cape Winelands Stellenbosch 1985 1835
Cape Winelands Drakenstein 4174 3845
Cape Winelands Breede Valley 3218 2958
Cape Winelands Langeberg 1104 1004
Cape Winelands Witzenberg 1496 1335
Overberg Overstrand 1499 1436
Overberg Cape Agulhas 258 230
Overberg Swellendam 270 246
Overberg Theewaterskloof 1124 1038
West Coast Bergrivier 402 364
West Coast Cederberg 153 138
West Coast Matzikama 320 263
West Coast Saldanha Bay Municipality 1318 1209
West Coast Swartland 1449 1311
Central Karoo Beaufort West 471 349
Central Karoo Laingsburg 122 77
Central Karoo Prince Albert 16 11

Unallocated: 2156 (2074 recovered)

Data note: It is not always possible to check and verify that the address data supplied for each new recorded case is correct, within the time frames required to provide regular and timely updates. This means that in some instances, cases could be allocated to the wrong sub-districts. We are working with the sub-districts to clean and verify the data and where errors are picked up locally, cases will be re-allocated to the correct areas.

More data is available here: https://coronavirus.westerncape.gov.za/covid-19-dashboard

The Western Cape has recorded an additional 40 deaths, bringing the total number of COVID-19 related deaths in the province to 3801. We send our condolences to their family and friends at this time.

Mitchell’s Plain business visit:

Premier Winde visits Suraya Williams of Design 26 in Mitchell’s Plain.

Today, I had visited some businesses in Mitchell’s Plain to chat to them about their business, some of their concerns and the impact of the lockdown.

My first stop was dressmaker Suraya Williams – whose Design 26 foundation teaches young women from the community sewing skills. Her business, which makes women’s clothing and custom matric ball dresses, has been heavily impacted by the lockdown. As a result, she has had to pivot to making masks and running her business as a small-scale CMT business.

I salute Ms Williams for doing what was necessary to continue to operate, but many other small businesses have not been able to stay open. We need to get our economy growing again, so that we can save jobs and address the second pandemic of unemployment, hunger and increased levels of poverty. This is a top priority for the Western Cape Government, as we work on our recovery plan.

I also visited Marshall Nelson who provides skills training for young people in Mitchells Plain. He and his children started 3D printing protective face shields during the lockdown which they distributed in their community – using their available equipment and innovation to help slow the spread of COVID-19.

Then, I popped into the Eve and Steve hair salon in the Promenade Mall. I had my first haircut here after salons were first allowed to open under alert level 3 and returned today for a trim. I was pleased to see that the business is still taking all the necessary safety precautions to operate safely.

I also had the opportunity to walk around the mall and to engage with the mall management. As with my visit to the Cape Town CBD last week, I noticed that some businesses were quieter an others had closed their doors. I was however pleased to hear that while some spaces were to let- there were some new tenants coming in as well.

At the same time, my community liaison team, “Team Premier” were on the ground engaging with businesses in the Garden Route today. They were sharing information about the golden rules of hygiene, as well as distributing masks and informational posters to businesses. Tomorrow, they will also be joined by Minister of Human Settlements Tertuis Simmers who is the hotspot lead for the Garden Route as well as representatives from local government.

Over the coming weeks and months, I hope to visit many more businesses and areas as the Western Cape Government focuses on its recovery.

It will take some time for businesses to rebuild and to regain what was lost during the lockdown. I therefore continue to appeal to everyone to support a small or a local business wherever they can to help to protect jobs. Whether it be buy buying your fruit and vegetables from a local vendor,  buying locally produced clothing, or going out for a meal or a coffee, you can help to support a business and the jobs that they create.

You can also help to support small businesses without spending a cent by reviewing them on social media or by recommending them to family, friends and colleagues. But please remember to do this safely, by always following the golden rules.

26 August 2020 Media Alert: Minister Tertuis Simmers to conduct COVID-19 awareness in George

Media Alert: Minister Tertuis Simmers to conduct COVID-19 awareness in George

For Immediate Release
26 August 2020

Tomorrow, 27 August 2020, Western Cape Minister of Human Settlements, Tertuis Simmers, in his capacity as the Provincial Government’s lead in the covid response for the Garden Route, will conduct a Covid-19 awareness campaign in George.

Minister Simmers, who will be accompanied by the Garden Route District Mayor, Memory Booysen and the George Municipal Mayor, Leon van Wyk, along with various MAYCO members, Councillors and the Premier’s Community Liaison Officers (CLO’s) will be distributing masks and information pamphlets.

Minister Simmers said: “I’m looking forward to engaging residents and reminding them of the importance of adhering to all the covid regulations. It is critical that we continue keeping the spotlight on this virus, as we have to push the infection rate down. This is truer now, particularly since the alert level has been relaxed and more people can move around.”

There will be an opportunity for interviews and photographs.

ALL MEDIA ARE INVITED TO ATTEND.

DETAILS:

Date: Thursday, 27 August 2020

Time: 08:00 – 09:00

Venue/Meeting Point: Hypersave, Pacaltsdorp, George

Media Enquiries:

Marcellino Martin

Spokesperson for Minister Tertuis Simmers

Marcellino.martin@westerncape.gov.za

021 483 3397 (o)

082 721 3362 (m)

Or

Nathan Adriaanse

Director of Communication & Stakeholder Relations

Tell: 021 483 2868 / Mobile: 083 2631720

Email: Nathan.Adriaanse@westerncape.gov.za

 

25 August 2020 Media Release: Southern Cape coastal degradation visible as winter storms take their toll

Media Release: Southern Cape coastal degradation visible as winter storms take their toll

For Immediate Release
25 August 2020

“Much of the erosion and degradation of the Southern Cape coastline, in particular from Mossel Bay to Storms River, is well documented and closely monitored by scientists, and for good reason,” says Cobus Meiring of the Garden Route Environmental Forum (GREF).

He says even a modest rise in global sea levels and increased wind velocity make for exponentially stronger wave action, which in turn results in rapid shoreline degradation. The degradation potentially renders coastal communities and infrastructure vulnerable to irreparable destruction and displacement.

“Coastal degradation is a complex matter and due to a great many factors, the manner in which it manifests is not uniform.”

“For example, the ongoing degradation of a dune system in St Francis, leaving multi-million rand properties exposed to the might of the open ocean, is not necessarily the same process as the degradation of ancient sand dunes at Kleinkrans near Wilderness, or severe damage to roads and the promenade in Cape Town and Bloubergstrand.”

According to Meiring the overall onslaught by nature on the Southern Cape coastline is relentless, consistent and on the increase with every winter as cold fronts bring ever-stronger winds and increasingly powerful wave action.

“Climate change and global warming are matters that are frightening to present and future generations, but there is a lot ordinary folk can do to mitigate the damage to the environment. A point of departure is the way we plan future developments along the Southern Cape coast, the way we manage our water sources, and the way we conserve what remains of our biodiversity,” concludes Meiring.

** The Garden Route Environmental Forum (GREF) is a regional forum for collaboration in conservation, environmental adaptation and community interaction. The forum aims to coordinate regional conservation efforts, serves as a catalyst to drive climate adaptation practices in the Southern Cape and strives to establish a better-coordinated approach to environmental management.

MEDIA ENQUIRIES

Cobus Meiring: Chair of the Garden Route Environmental Forum (GREF)

Cell: 083 626 7619

Email: cobus@naturalbridge.co.za

Photo: Coastal degradation along the Wilderness coast near Kleinkrans is on the increase and is symptomatic of increased wave action, stronger winds and global sea level rise. (Photo: Cobus Meiring)

25 August 2020 Media Release: Western Cape Government acknowledges the role of Faith-Based Organisations and Religious Leaders in combating COVID-19

Media Release: Western Cape Government acknowledges the role of Faith-Based Organisations and Religious Leaders in combating COVID-19

For Immediate Release
25 August 2020

The Western Cape Provincial Government has identified and implemented several measures which focus on public health and behaviour, using a whole of society approach. As part of Government’s Whole of Society Approach, Cabinet resolved to have regular interactions with Western Cape Faith Based Organisations (FBO’s) and religious leaders about Covid-19 government interventions.  An Inter-Ministerial Committee headed and chair by Minister Ivan Meyer has been meeting weekly, to improve and streamline communication between government and citizens in the province.

The Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport, Ms Anroux Marais and Ms Sharna Fernandez, Minister of Social Development also form part of the FBO Inter-Ministerial Committee.  The focus of this committee is to utilise skills in the religious community to expand the caring and humanitarian relief footprint to those in need.

In addition, the FBO forum creates a platform where members can obtain vetted information from the Western Cape Government and in many ways, becomes a voice piece for religious leaders and their constituencies to directly engage with government.  Questions and concerns that relate to what communities and congregants are currently unclear about are being addressed at the forum.  Issues like humanitarian relief, funeral and bereavement support plans and information regarding various regulations and feeding schemes form part of the regular agenda.

According to MEC Ivan Meyer, “Religious leaders and faith-based organisations play an important role in society. We also welcome suggestions and ideas in the fight of Covid-19 in the Western Cape. We believe that spiritual leaders offer us unique insights into the social and spiritual wellbeing of our citizens. As crucial stakeholders in our provincial response to Covid-19, our religious leaders have been asking the right questions and guiding us in many ways, to package information that is the most practical at ground level. We appreciate the commitment and levels of engagement that we share with them as well as the constant inputs they provide in helping us find solutions where necessary.”

He continues to acknowledge the exceptional work done by religious leaders during the Covid-19 and lockdown period, as well as the significant contributions, inputs and suggestions as joint efforts to combat the pandemic. “Suicides during the Covid-19 lockdown period are a great matter of concern and spiritual leaders play an integral part in emotional and physical support to the bereaved family members. They also provide counseling, care and relief activities and food relief scheme,” Meyer said.                                    

District Mayors from the various municipalities in the Western Cape also from part of this platform, and are encouraged to establish similar forums within their respective districts. This will enable them to engage with spiritual leaders at local level, thus ensuring that information shared during these engagements cascade down to the citizens within the Western Cape. FBO leaders are champions in establishing a behavioural change in the areas of higher transmissions.

Cllr Lisa Stroebel of the Garden Route District Municipality

 In the Garden Route District, the Executive Mayor of the Garden Route District Municipality, Alderman Memory Booysen, chairs the Garden Route Faith-Based Organisations Forum and is assisted by Councillor Liza Stroebel. The George FBO Forum has been established and is meeting via an online platform weekly. It is anticipated that other FBO forums in the Garden Route will soon follow suit. Inputs by various Stakeholders are also shared during such weekly meetings.

Psycho-social support is available on the hotline number on 0800 220 250.

24 August 2020 Media Release: Update on the coronavirus by Premier Alan Winde

24 August 2020

As of 1pm on 24 August, the Western Cape has 5084 active cases of COVID-19, with a total of 102 615 confirmed cases and 93 788  recoveries.

Total confirmed COVID-19 cases 102 615
Total recoveries 93 788
Total deaths 3743
Total active cases (currently infected patients) 5084
Tests conducted 469 953
Hospitalisations 1019 with 203 in ICU or high care

Cape Metro Sub-districts:

 Sub-district Cases Recoveries
Western 8986  8284
Southern 9250  8430
Northern 6380  5952
Tygerberg 12896  11962
Eastern 9747  8962
Klipfontein 8890  8090
Mitchells Plain 8269  7662
Khayelitsha 8102  7571
Total 72520 66913

Sub-districts:

 District  Sub-district Cases Recoveries
Garden Route Bitou 557 490
Garden Route Knysna 1326 1173
Garden Route George 3226 2856
Garden Route Hessequa 268 210
Garden Route Kannaland 100 78
Garden Route Mossel Bay 2049 1745
Garden Route Oudsthoorn 1051 715
Cape Winelands Stellenbosch 1974 1830
Cape Winelands Drakenstein 4163 3819
Cape Winelands Breede Valley 3206 2923
Cape Winelands Langeberg 1103 1000
Cape Winelands Witzenberg 1487 1321
Overberg Overstrand 1494 1434
Overberg Cape Agulhas 257 226
Overberg Swellendam 268 243
Overberg Theewaterskloof 1124 1041
West Coast Bergrivier 396 357
West Coast Cederberg 155 137
West Coast Matzikama 317 251
West Coast Saldanha Bay Municipality 1315 1209
West Coast Swartland 1445 1292
Central Karoo Beaufort West 469 338
Central Karoo Laingsburg 123 65
Central Karoo Prince Albert 16 10

Unallocated: 2206 (2112 recovered)

Data note: It is not always possible to check and verify that the address data supplied for each new recorded case is correct, within the time frames required to provide regular and timely updates. This means that in some instances, cases could be allocated to the wrong sub-districts. We are working with the sub-districts to clean and verify the data and where errors are picked up locally, cases will be re-allocated to the correct areas.

More data is available here: https://coronavirus.westerncape.gov.za/covid-19-dashboard

The Western Cape has recorded an additional 17deaths, bringing the total number of COVID-19 related deaths in the province to 3743. We send our condolences to their family and friends at this time.

Return to school:

Many learners will return to schools across the Western Cape this week, joining grades 7 and 12 who had returned to learning earlier this month. We wish all the children well as they return to school and prepare for the remainder of the school year. We also thank all of the teachers, principals, school staff and volunteers who have been on hand to ensure that the return to school is as safe as possible.

Western Cape Education Minister, Debbie Schäfer said: “There are a just over 800 000 learners in the grades forming part of this week’s phased return to class. However, not all of these learners came back to class today. Each school has a unique Temporary Revised Education Plan to manage the 1.5m physical distance requirement, so grades are attending on alternate days, weeks or using another model. A third of our schools had also previously notified the Head of Department that they would bring some grades back to class earlier than this week, so it isn’t the first day back for those learners.

Nonetheless, it is still a large number of learners, so we are very pleased with how things have proceeded today.

This school year has been difficult for many learners and parents and we understand that there may still be fears associated with children returning to school. However, we also understand that many other parents are eager to see their children back in the classroom which provides a safe space for them in the day when parents are at work. We also know that the extended closure of our schools has had a significant impact on many learners, with the poorest, who may not have access to digital learning resources at home, impacted the hardest.

The return to school must be done safely and we encourage parents to have age-appropriate conversations with their children around the return to the classroom, hand washing and mask -wearing. Children by nature will mimic common behaviours they see, so wearing your own mask, regularly washing your own hands and practicing social distancing when you are outside of the home, will encourage them to do the same.

Reopening of the economy:

We have seen more people returning to work this week- with many of our gyms reopening for the first time today. The reopening means that many people will be able to return to work in the fitness industry and I call on businesses, gyms, trainers and clients to all take the utmost care to ensure that they reopen safely.

We have to do all that we can to ensure that we support businesses at this time so that we can save jobs and reduce unemployment, hunger and starvation.

23 August 2020 Update on the Coronavirus

23 August 2020

As of 1pm on 23 August, the Western Cape has 5203 active cases of COVID-19, with a total of 102 585 confirmed cases and 93 656 recoveries.

Total confirmed COVID-19 cases 102 585
Total recoveries 93 656
Total deaths 3726
Total active cases (currently infected patients) 5203
Tests conducted 469 498
Hospitalisations 1032 with 207 in ICU or high care

Cape Metro Sub-districts:
Western 8971 cases; 8270 recoveries
Southern 9249 cases; 8417 recoveries
Northern 6379 cases; 5948 recoveries
Tygerberg 12897 cases; 11960 recoveries
Eastern 9736 cases; 8943 recoveries
Klipfontein 8888 cases; 8086 recoveries
Mitchells Plain 8250 cases; 7636 recoveries
Khayelitsha 8096 cases; 7565 recoveries
Total 72466 cases; 66825 recoveries

Sub-districts:
Garden Route Bitou 554 cases; 488 recoveries
Garden Route Knysna 1325 cases; 1164 recoveries
Garden Route George 3224 cases; 2850 recoveries
Garden Route Hessequa 268 cases; 208 recoveries
Garden Route Kannaland 99 cases; 72 recoveries
Garden Route Mossel Bay 2041 cases; 1735 recoveries
Garden Route Oudsthoorn 1047 cases; 711 recoveries
Cape Winelands Stellenbosch 1972 cases;1830 recoveries
Cape Winelands Drakenstein 4162 cases; 3816 recoveries
Cape Winelands Breede Valley 3206 cases; 2919 recoveries
Cape Winelands Langeberg 1104 cases; 999 recoveries
Cape Winelands Witzenberg 1485 cases; 1320 recoveries
Overberg Overstrand 1492 cases; 1431 recoveries
Overberg Cape Agulhas 256 cases; 226 recoveries
Overberg Swellendam 267 cases; 242 recoveries
Overberg Theewaterskloof 1126 cases; 1040 recoveries
West Coast Bergrivier 398 cases; 358 recoveries
West Coast Cederberg 154 cases; 137 recoveries
West Coast Matzikama 317 cases; 252 recoveries
West Coast Saldanha Bay Municipality 1316 cases; 1208 recoveries
West Coast Swartland 1442 cases; 1291 recoveries
Central Karoo Beaufort West 467 cases; 337 recoveries
Central Karoo Laingsburg 122 cases; 65 recoveries
Central Karoo Prince Albert 15 cases; 10 recoveries

Unallocated: 2260 (2122 recovered)

Data note: It is not always possible to check and verify that the address data supplied for each new recorded case is correct, within the time frames required to provide regular and timely updates. This means that in some instances, cases could be allocated to the wrong sub-districts. We are working with the sub-districts to clean and verify the data and where errors are picked up locally, cases will be re-allocated to the correct areas.

More data is available here: https://coronavirus.westerncape.gov.za/covid-19-dashboard

*Due to the unavailability of data yesterday- the deaths being reported today are for a 48 hour period.

Over the past 48 hours, the Western Cape has recorded an additional 18 deaths, bringing the total number of COVID-19 related deaths in the province to 3726. We send our condolences to their family and friends at this time.

✅Hospitalisations and deaths continue to show a decline in the Western Cape:
I am pleased to note that hospitalisations in the province continue to show a decline. The total number hospitalised for COVID-19 is now below the 1100 mark, while our ICU admissions are very close to the 200 mark. Another positive sign is that the number of deaths recorded in the province continues to track downwards- with just 18 deaths recorded over a two day period. While every death we record is still one too many, it is heartening to see the numbers showing a steady decline.

The Western Cape Department of Health has been working hard to ensure that the data we present to the public is as accurate as possible. As part of this process, we have been working closely with the NHLS, and from time to time, we will adjust data as new information comes to light. Today, we have removed some duplicated cases which were incorrectly added into the system last week, resulting in the number of new cases recorded since Friday appearing lower than usual.

Despite this adjustment, all of our reliable indicators, such as our hospital and death data, continue to indicate that we are continuing to make progress in slowing the spread of COVID-19 in the province.

For this, I would like to thank every single resident who has played their part in helping to slow the spread. Each time you leave home with your mask on, keep your distance from others and wash or sanitize your hands, you are helping to reduce the number of new infections and save lives.

This weekend was the first weekend under the new alert level 2 restrictions and as more of our businesses start to open up, as people start to move around more, see their families and interact with others more, it remains important that we all continue to take precautions to protect ourselves, our loved ones and those who are most vulnerable to becoming seriously ill with COVID-19.

If we all continue to act responsibly, we can ensure that businesses can continue trading safely, and that we are able to save important jobs. Many people have been severely impacted by the hard lockdown and our focus must now be on addressing unemployment, hunger and poverty while reducing the numbers of new COVID-19 infections in our province.

22 August 2020 Update on the Coronavirus Statistics – Technical Issues

22 August 2020

*Due to a technical issue with our data feed from the NHLS, our daily statistical update has been delayed. We are working to resolve the issue and will update the dashboard and the stats as soon as the correct data is available.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

Hospitalisations:
A total of 1061 people are currently hospitalised in the province, with 220 of these in ICU or high care.

Yesterday, we closed the Hospital of Hope at the CTICC but this does not mark the end of our fight against COVID-19. We must all continue to play our part in ensuring that we are able to slow the spread of the virus.

As the virus is likely to still be with us for many more months, our colleagues in the Department of Health are also ensuring that we can continue to provide the appropriate level of care to those who may still need it. In the metro region, the Brackengate temporary field hospital is now the primary Hospital of Hope- providing 338 beds. The Freesia ward in Mitchell’s Plain, sponsored by the Gift of the Givers will also provide an additional 60 dedicated COVID-19 beds. This is a legacy project, which will allow us to use this resource beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.

Two other legacy projects have also been completed in our rural areas- the Sonstraal Hospital in Paarl will provide 63 beds, while in Vredendal, staff identified and transformed an unused boiler room at the Vredendal Hospital into a COVID-19 ward.

Previously used as a store room, the hospital management, staff and maintenance team set to work. preparing the space so that contractors could start the alterations.The space will now function as a COVID-19 ward, but in the future, will provide additional capacity at the hospital.

Healthcare workers who were stationed at the CTICC will now return to the healthcare facilities they were seconded from, or be re-deployed at other healthcare facilities across the province. Equipment purchased for use at the CTICC will also be used elsewhere across the province, boosting the resources available in the healthcare system.

Issued: Premier Alan Winde

Reference: https://coronavirus.westerncape.gov.za/news/update-coronavirus-premier-alan-winde-22-august

21 August 2020 Media Release: Update on the Coronavirus

Media Release: Update on the Coronavirus

For Immediate Release
21 August 2020

As of 1pm on 21 August, the Western Cape has 5331 active cases of COVID-19, with a total of 102 422 confirmed cases and 93 383 recoveries.

Total confirmed COVID-19 cases 102 422
Total recoveries 93 383
Total deaths 3708
Total active cases (currently infected patients) 5331
Tests conducted 463977
Hospitalisations 1090 with 218 in ICU or high care

Cape Metro Sub-districts:
Western 8913 cases; 8197 recoveries
Southern 9229 cases; 8317 recoveries
Northern 6321 cases; 5863 recoveries
Tygerberg 12784 cases; 11830 recoveries
Eastern 9662 cases; 8862 recoveries
Klipfontein 8865 cases; 8057 recoveries
Mitchells Plain 8176 cases; 7537 recoveries
Khayelitsha 8068 cases; 7538 recoveries
Total 72018 cases; 66201 recoveries

Sub-districts:
Garden Route Bitou 547 cases; 471 recoveries
Garden Route Knysna 1304 cases; 1141 recoveries
Garden Route George 3188 cases; 2813 recoveries
Garden Route Hessequa 264 cases; 204 recoveries
Garden Route Kannaland 99 cases; 70 recoveries
Garden Route Mossel Bay 2018 cases; 1692 recoveries
Garden Route Oudsthoorn 996 cases; 693 recoveries
Cape Winelands Stellenbosch 1955 cases; 1807 recoveries
Cape Winelands Drakenstein 4140 cases; 3803 recoveries
Cape Winelands Breede Valley 3159 cases; 2881 recoveries
Cape Winelands Langeberg 1083 cases; 991 recoveries
Cape Winelands Witzenberg 1463 cases; 1307 recoveries
Overberg Overstrand 1482 cases; 1419 recoveries
Overberg Cape Agulhas 253 cases; 223 recoveries
Overberg Swellendam 261 cases; 242 recoveries
Overberg Theewaterskloof 1120 cases; 1034 recoveries
West Coast Bergrivier 395 cases; 357 recoveries
West Coast Cederberg 151 cases; 133 recoveries
West Coast Matzikama 303 cases; 240 recoveries
West Coast Saldanha Bay Municipality 1302 cases; 1196 recoveries
West Coast Swartland 1419 cases; 1273 recoveries
Central Karoo Beaufort West 435 cases; 325 recoveries
Central Karoo Laingsburg 120 cases; 59 recoveries
Central Karoo Prince Albert 13 cases; 10 recoveries

Unallocated: 2934 (2798 recovered)

Data note: It is not always possible to check and verify that the address data supplied for each new recorded case is correct, within the time frames required to provide regular and timely updates. This means that in some instances, cases could be allocated to the wrong sub-districts. We are working with the sub-districts to clean and verify the data and where errors are picked up locally, cases will be re-allocated to the correct areas.

More data is available here: https://coronavirus.westerncape.gov.za/covid-19-dashboard

The Western Cape has recorded an additional 26 deaths, bringing the total number of COVID-19 related deaths in the province to 3708 . We send our condolences to their family and friends at this time.

✅A note on today’s new cases:

Today’s new case statistics appear to have shown a bigger increase than usual. These are not all new or active cases. The Western Cape Department of Health has implemented changes to its data system which has resulted in some older cases, which had not originally been detected, now being accounted for. This is all part of our ongoing efforts to ensure that the data that we share is as accurate as possible.

✅Closure of the Hospital of Hope:

This afternoon, we officially closed the Hospital of Hope at the CTICC. This 862 bed hospital has provided care to over 1500 people since it opened in June-allowing us to provide dignified care to all who needed it at the peak of the pandemic in the Western Cape.

The Hospital of Hope has certainly lived up to its name- with many inspirational stories of healing. Among its patients who were discharged were a 104 year old, a 93 year old and an 88 year old. More than 1400 families have had their loved ones recover and go home.

When we were planning our provincial response to the pandemic, I was clear that I did not want to run out of beds. Providing dignified healthcare to everyone who needed it was our number one aim.

What the Hospital of Hope provided went far beyond that. The hospital was staffed by dedicated, phenomenal people who have touched the lives of every single person they helped. They worked long hours, endured difficult circumstances, made personal sacrifices and they did it while putting themselves at risk of becoming sick themselves. And yet, through it all, every patient was treated with care and respect.

Sadly, 82 people died at the facility and we send our condolences to their families and loved ones. Losing a loved one is never easy, but under COVID-19 circumstances, it is even harder. Today, we heard stories of how patients were treated with the utmost love and care by our healthcare workers, who supported them even in their final moments.

The CTICC has always played a special role in Cape Town- hosting Presidents, international delegates and captains of industry. It has been a site of celebration, bringing people together for weddings and festivals. And now, its history will also include a hospital that was built in four weeks. It may only have operated for a matter of weeks, but it has saved hundreds of lives.

Today, I want to thank every single person who has been involved in the making of history: the healthcare workers at the front line, the Western Cape Department of Health management team and the team from the Department of Transport and Public Works. I would also like to convey a special thank you to the CTICC, who responded to the call and allowed us the use of the space.

At today’s closing ceremony, Head of the Department of Health, Dr Keith Cloete spoke of how the hospital had shown us the best of humanity, and what healthcare in the future could be.

Around the world, this pandemic has created extreme suffering and deep pain for many but at the same time, it has provided us with moments of hope, kindness and love. It has prompted a global outpouring of generosity and support. The Hospital of Hope will always be a symbol of all the goodness we have seen during this time.

The Brackengate temporary hospital will now be the primary Hospital of Hope- providing the same level of care to those who still need it while we continue to work to slow the spread of COVID-19. It will be supported by a number of smaller facilities and dedicated wards in both the metro and in the rural areas.

Caption: Premier Alan Winde, Keith Cloete (HOD Health), Theodore Abrahams (CTICC facility manager) and Harry Malila (Western Cape Government DG) wheel bed number 862, the final bed number in the Hospital of Hope, out of the ward.

iStock.com/ra2studio

21 August 2020 Media Release: Garden Route Health Platform Update

Media Release: Garden Route Health Platform Update

For Immediate Release
21 August 2020

As of 21 August 2020, the Garden Route District has 8200 confirmed cases of Covid-19.

Cases 

Garden Route cases and recoveries per subdistrict.

  • Bitou 533 cases; 460 recoveries
  • Knysna 1288 cases; 1113 recoveries
  • George 3139 cases; 2774 recoveries
  • Hessequa 258 cases; 204 recoveries
  • Kannaland 99 cases; 70 recoveries
  • Mossel Bay 1936 cases; 1608 recoveries
  • Oudsthoorn 947 cases; 658 recoveries

The Garden Route has recorded 258 Covid-19 deaths.

Hessequa 13
Mossel Bay 56
George 87
Knysna 36
Bitou 20
Oudtshoorn 45
Kannaland 1

Hospitalisation

From our latest available information, there are currently 136 patients admitted in public and private hospitals of which 21 are in High Care/ICU.

 George Hospital happy to discharge more COVID-19 patients

George Hospital has treated 256 COVID-19 patients since the start of the pandemic. Two of these patients are Madelain Ntenetyana and Annestien Botha who both spent a few nights in Ward A1 due to complications of COVID-19.

Thirty-three-year old Madelain Ntenetyana from George started feeling ill at work and thought it was a cold.

Madelain Ntenetyana is now fully recovered.

She called in sick for work for a few days and her symptoms got worse so she decided to visit her local clinic where she was tested for COVID-19 and sent to hospital. She had difficulty breathing and had no appetite. Madelain says she felt better after three days in hospital and was transferred to PetroSA West Camp for 9 days to complete her isolation period.

“I am grateful for all the staff in the ward and would like to thank them for everything they did for me. I also want to thank especially Nurse Gary Michaels at PetroSA West Camp for his caring attitude while I was there”, she said. Madelain is now fully recovered and would like to call on the public to take COVID seriously as this is an experience she doesn’t want to repeat.

Annestien Botha(33) a nurse from a private hospital in George felt extremely tired and had a temperature. She went to the testing unit at George Hospital where she was tested and admitted to hospital. She was on oxygen for the first night and started feeling better. Being a health professional herself she was impressed with the service received at George Hospital. “ Staff were great, especially the doctors. I could see they have a plan here. I was treated with care and not someone who has an infectious disease where some staff might feel scared to be near you”, she said.

Annestien Botha on the day she was discharged.

Annestien contracted the virus from her daughter and after being discharged after two days they both isolated together at home.

“It is easy to contract the virus so people should take care of themselves and follow the guidelines such as wearing a mask and social distancing”, she said.

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 149 051 people have been screened of whom 1305 have been referred for testing.

 Catching up on the most urgent essential health services without risking patient and staff safety

While the health service platform must remain geared to deal with COVID-19 pandemic (including a possible second wave of infections), the Department of Health wants to scale up essential health services in a balanced manner.   The Department’s risk and impact based approach is guiding the services to be reintroduced identifying those services which have low risk yet high impact (such as immunisation services). These services which had reduced significantly during the COVID pandemic, will have a significant long term impact for those clients who had missed immunisations, follow-up appointments and scheduled non-emergency treatment.    A phased approach will be adopted to return the comprehensive health service platform back to a new normal and will be considered in short, medium and long terms.

PLEASE NOTE THAT CURRENTLY ALL PREVENTATIVE SERVICES ARE OFFERED:

  • Women’s health (family planning, antenatal and post-natal care)
  • Men’s health
  • Child health(immunisations)
  • Chronic disease management (TB, HIV, Diabetes, etc.)

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 71 people at the West Camp facility.

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(70% alcohol base)
  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

Feature image: iStock.com/ra2studio