24 July 2020

As of 1pm on 24 July, the Western Cape has 11 785 active cases of COVID-19, with a total of 88 499 confirmed cases and 73 897 recoveries.

Cape Metro Sub-districts:

Sub-districts:

Unallocated: 5961 (5069 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 29 deaths, bringing the total number of COVID-19 related deaths in the province to 2817. We send our condolences to their loved ones at this time.

School closures:

The Western Cape Government is concerned that the school closures announced last night by President Cyril Ramaphosa will have a greater negative impact on children’s safety than if they were to go to school.

We believe that the announcement is not based on scientific evidence and reasoning. As a province, we pride ourselves on having responded to the pandemic in a way that is both data-led and evidence driven.

We understand that for many parents, sending their children to school results in a lot of fear and anxiety. The Western Cape Government and our teachers have worked hard to ensure that those parents who do choose to keep their children at home are able to do so. But for many other parents, sending their children to school is the only option and the closure will impact these children the hardest.

Many parents who have returned to work will struggle to find safe spaces for children who are not at school over this period, putting them at risk of injury, accidents or abuse. At a time when the economy is under significant strain and we are facing an unemployment crisis, many of these parents cannot afford to stay at home for four weeks.

The closure may also impact children who rely on the meals they receive at school. While the Western Cape is the only province to have continued to feed learners throughout the lockdown period, and while schools were closed, we know that it is easier for children to access meals when they are attending schools daily. In the face of major food security threats across the country, these daily meals are essential for many children.

Additionally, daily stimulation and learning is necessary to ensure that our children do not fall behind. For many working parents, home schooling, and at home learning activities like reading, are not possible. Most impacted will be poor learners who don’t have access to online learning materials and the internet to continue to learn during this time.

As Minister of Finance and Economic Opportunities David Maynier outlined in his adjustment budget yesterday, the Western Cape Department of Education has been allocated R310 million in funding to procure protective equipment and to sanitise schools. We have also seen schools across the province put in every effort to ensure that children are safe.

We can all help to slow the spread and ensure that we keep ourselves, and our loved ones safe by washing our hands, regularly cleaning down surfaces and high traffic areas in our homes and workplaces, correctly wearing a mask so that it covers both the nose and mouth, and social distancing whenever we leave home.

23 July 2020

As of 1pm on 23 July, the Western Cape has 11 991 active cases of COVID-19, with a total of 87 474 confirmed cases and 72 695 recoveries.

Cape Metro Sub-districts:

Sub-districts:

Unallocated: 6039 (5029 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 42 deaths, bringing the total number of COVID-19 related deaths in the province to 2788. We send our condolences to their loved ones at this time.

Hotspot strategy focused on changing behaviour to slow the spread:

The hotspot strategy was implemented to reduce the numbers of infections in places where they were highest. This strategy has involved an all of government approach, with assistance from local municipalities, businesses, civil society and individuals. We know that when we work together as partners we can achieve much more in slowing the spread Covid-19 and saving lives.

–Case management:

Community healthcare workers continue to be an important part of the strategy, conducting home screenings and paying special attention to high risk groups and diabetics.

In the Cape Winelands hotspot for example, screening and testing has been conducted in homes for the elderly and protocols and guidelines, and other support have been provided. While in Klipfontein and Mitchell’s Plain, the hotspot teams have conducted compliance checks at old age homes and SASSA paypoints, and provided protocols and support to homes for the elderly and the disabled.

Our tracking and tracing has been bolstered by bringing on board the Western Cape Government call centre and by the roll out of the national government’s COVID Connect digital system, which was piloted in the province. So far we have made over 11 700 direct calls to people using our call-centre.

We continue to focus on the importance of quarantine and isolation facilities in each hotspot, and have been communicating extensively in all of our hotspot areas.

These facilities have supported 4514 people since the start of the pandemic. There are currently there were a total of 411 people in isolation and 195 in quarantine in sites in both the metro and rural facilities.

–Civil compliance and behaviour change:

The coronavirus will still be with us for a number of months to come and our focus has been on shifting behaviours to ensure that we are able to slow the spread of the virus and protect residents. We need to learn to live with this “new normal”. This focuses on all aspects of life- from individual actions like mask wearing and social distancing to business compliance, transport options and communications campaigns.

One of the major behaviours emerging in many of our hotspots is the issue of mask wearing. In some cases, masks are not being worn. We have also seen masks being worn incorrectly.

We have therefore now focusing on massive mask drives across our hotspots.

Mask donations will be shared in these hotspots to ensure that more people have access.

Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport, Anroux Marais this week launched the mask activation for the Tygerberg and Northern districts, which will take place weekly in these areas. She received 1500 masks donated by Old Mutual which will be distributed through the Department’s Treasure Box @home learning packs so that parents and care givers can also have access to masks.

In the Klipfontein and Mitchells Plain hotspots, 1623 masks were donated by Agriculture, to be distributed to urban farmers and farm workers in the City of Cape Town.

We are also focused on the management of crowds and people in public spaces.

In the Overberg, Overstrand law enforcement have conducted over 100 inspections at taxi ranks, conducted over 200 shop compliance checks, and conducted social distancing checks at municipal buildings.

In Khayelitsha, the Chrysalis graduates deployed earlier have been bolstered by neighbourhood watch groups. Earlier this month, 15 neighbourhood watch groups received training and kits, which include sanitisers, masks and tape, to mark out social distancing lines, to help them enforce compliance in their neighbourhoods.

In the Eastern region, eight neighbourhood watches will be deployed in Mfuleni.

In Klipfontein and Mitchells Plain, metro police are conducting compliance checks at schools, shops and malls, clinics, churches and civic centres.

EPWP workers have also been deployed for queue management at clinics in these areas and in Atlantis in the Western sub-district.

Also in the Western sub-district, 16 barbershops and 91 spaza shops were surveyed for COVID-19 compliance in DuNoon, and inspections were conducted in 10 Langa schools.

In the Southern sub-district, 32 hairdressers and barber shops were inspected for compliance, and educational materials shared with them.

Informal traders and spaza shops are being supplied with business safety kits by the City of Cape Town and the Western Cape Government, which contain sanitisers, masks, and posters and pamphlets to display in store and share with their customers.

In Overstrand, taxi ranks, the main shopping centre and the sidewalks are regularly disinfected, while in Theewaterskloof, open areas like taxi ranks and public toilets are disinfected each Friday.

New communications methods are being used in addition to our radio, print, social media and street pole campaigns.  These include branding of taxis, loud hailing in communities, and the use of trailer billboards.

The Department of Community Safety has recently started a weekly radio show on Radio Zibonele , with shows focusing on COVID-19 safety, isolation and quarantine and other important messages.

These are just some of the strategies that are being employed in our hotspots to ensure that we can slow the spread and protect our most vulnerable.

This plan is a whole of society plan and we need everyone to do their part to help.

The Coronavirus is going to be with us for a long time still and in order to ensure that the province does not experience new spikes in infection, we must all play our part. You can keep yourself and your loved ones safe by staying home as much as possible, and wearing a mask correctly, and keeping a distance of 1.5 metres between yourself and any other person when you do go out. Washing your hands, not touching your face and coughing into your arm or elbow are simple steps that we can all take to protect ourselves and others.

Brackengate discharges first patient:

Tanduxolo Mkhetshane from Town 3 Khayelitsha became the first patient to leave our brand new Brackengate temporary hospital after being discharged yesterday. He was among the first group of people through the brand new hospital’s doors when they opened on Monday, and by Wednesday, had recovered enough to go home.

Our temporary field hospitals offer intermediate care, and so many of the patients admitted there will be on their way to recovery. They allow us to ensure that those with COVID-19 who still need medical care are able to receive it, while at the relieving pressure on our acute care facilities so that more serious or complex cases can be treated there.

We wish Mr Mkhetshane all the best as he continues his journey to a full recovery at home.

We also thank all of the healthcare workers at the hospital for ensuring that Mr Mkhetshane was well taken care of. His stay may have been brief but the role you have played, and will continue to play for many more patients, is an important one.

22 July 2020

The Western Cape Government condemns violent and destructive protests and land invasions which have taken place over the past few days, which have resulted in injuries to our citizens, damage to property, and which will impact government’s ability to provide key services to our most vulnerable residents going forward.

Many of these land invasions and protests appear to be coordinated efforts by a select few to profit from these attacks and invasions.

The Western Cape Department of Human Settlements is committed to assisting those with housing needs, who have followed the procedures to register on our housing database. We will not allow those who are breaking the law and inciting violence to jump the housing queue ahead of people who have legitimate claims, and who have followed all the correct processes.

In recent days, we have seen a number of violent attacks which will impact the ability to deliver government services. These attacks impact some of our most vulnerable residents and communities and will impact service delivery for large numbers of law-abiding citizens.

• Four EMS teams came under attack on Monday. One of the teams had a patient in their ambulance at the time of the attack.
• A Dial-A-Ride vehicle which provides transport to disabled people in our communities was stoned, injuring passengers and damaging the vehicle.
• Firefighters on their way to a fire in Khayelitsha were surrounded and their vehicle stoned. The firefighters were not seriously injured, however, damage was done to the vehicle which will now be out of commission until it can be repaired.
• A refuse removal truck was set alight.
• Damage to schools including the destruction of a classroom, a library and a school hall.
• After attacks on its staff, Eskom has withdrawn services to certain parts of Khayelitsha and Mfuleni meaning that faults in these areas will not be attended to.
• A Golden Arrow bus was petrol bombed in Mfuleni in the early hours of this morning.

The reality is that these destructive acts of violence undermine the poorest in our province. It cannot be tolerated.

Indeed, we cannot allow a small group of people to interfere with our ability to provide healthcare, emergency and other services to our people, and to interfere with the right to an education for the children of this province.

All spheres of government currently face extreme budget pressures and the cost to repair the damage caused during these protests will further impact service delivery.

Those most impacted by these actions will undoubtedly be the poor. I therefore call on anyone with information that can lead to the arrest and prosecution of the organisers to report it to the police.

I also call on the Western Cape police and law enforcement, as well as Police Minister Bheki Cele to treat these actions with the seriousness that they deserve.

The Constitution of South Africa protects the right to protest but when protests result in this level of lawlessness, and impact on other people’s rights, safety and dignity they must not only be condemned, but the participants prosecuted.

We note that many of these protests have resulted in large groups of people gathering, many without masks which is not only reckless in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, but contravenes the national disaster management regulations.

We also note videos circulating which allegedly show community leaders participating in these protests, among them one of the convicted “poo throwers” whose three-year prison sentence was suspended for five years in August 2015 and which has not yet lapsed. We call on the authorities to investigate this matter further.

I have tasked Minister of Human Settlements Tertuis Simmers to determine all of the facts around these invasions.

Minister of Community Safety, Albert Fritz will also be meeting with SAPS provincial commissioner Yolisa Matakata to discuss these criminal acts.

Please see comment below from members of the Western Cape Cabinet, whose portfolios have been impacted by these actions.

Minister Tertuis Simmers, Human Settlements:

“I condemn these illegal activities in the strongest possible terms. We will not assist or engage those who choose to illegally grab public and or private land, particularly since their aim is to jump the Housing Demand Database (HDD) queue. The criminality will not be condoned.

I appeal to residents who have a genuine housing need to register on the HDD and if they’re already registered to either verify or update their details. Residents should also use the relevant and well-established platforms such as Ward Councillors and Ward Committees to raise their concerns.

Residents should also use the relevant and well-established platforms such as the Project Steering Committees (PSCs), Ward Councillors and Ward Committees to raise their concerns.

We have clear criteria of whom we’ll assist and they include: the elderly, persons with disabilities, backyard dwellers (the Western Cape is the first province in the country to formally do this) and those longest on the waiting list (15 years and longer).

Minster Albert Fritz, Community Safety:

It is apparent that these attacks are politically motivated, and I call on this senseless politicking to cease. It is evident that a smaller group of inciters are leading these protests and pretending to speak for the masses. In doing so, they are preying on the plight of the most vulnerable in society who will suffer the infrastructure and services lost due to protest action.

I have been informed that SAPS in the Western Cape have reinforced deployments with crowd control capacity. Public order police and SAPS station officials have been active in Khayelithsa, Mfuleni, Kraaifontein, Delft, Joe Slovo and Laingsville to restore calm.

I call on SAPS and the SANDF to play a more proactive role in responding to these attacks. In addition, I call on residents to abide by the law. These are attacks on state property and should be treated with the utmost seriousness.”

Minister Anton Bredell, Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning:

The escalation in attacks is concerning. Yesterday firefighters from the City of Cape Town were stoned in their fire engine and others were intimidated by local communities. This is not a new thing and other emergency responders have also been targeted. We are urging our communities to work with our emergency responders.

These men and women are civil servants and are out there to protect and help the vulnerable and those in need. Attacking them puts at risk the lives of the very communities that are harbouring these vandals.

Minister Debbie Schafer, Education:

I condemn in the strongest possible terms the wanton destruction of two schools in Du Noon/ Joe Slovo area in the past two days. A classroom and the library at Marconi Bean Primary school were burned on Monday night and the school hall at Sinenjongo High School was set alight last night. These disgraceful acts of thuggery will do even more harm to our children’s education at a time when teaching and learning is already difficult.

We cannot say at this point when the damaged buildings, will be replaced. The Department’s budget has just been slashed again, and other schools and areas have been waiting patiently for a long time to receive schools and halls. We will not prioritise schools that are destroyed over others that have been waiting patiently for facilities. This destruction must stop!

Minister Nomafrench Mbombo, Health:

I strongly condemn the senseless attack of EMS staff that happened in Khayelitsha yesterday. It is critical for our people to realise that safety of communities is directly linked to the safety of our health personnel.

Sadly, these attacks often occur in extremely vulnerable communities where emergency services are needed most. I urge all residents to protect EMS personnel while they are rendering this very important service. This cannot be solely left in the hands of the Police. It will take a whole of society approach to create a safe environment that will enable people to access the healthcare they need.

Minister Sharna Fernandez, Social Development:

Yesterday one of government’s ‘Dial-A-Ride’ vehicles was destroyed during violent protests in Khayelitsha, Cape Town.

One of the biggest obstacles that many persons with mobility impairments often encounter, is being able to drive a vehicle or being able to be transported in a vehicle that accommodates their disability.

Such violent, thuggish behaviour aimed at people with disabilities is despicable, to say the least! This is indeed a heartbreaking situation that we find ourselves in, as the availability of such specialized services are few and far between.

I further call for the perpetrators of such hideous acts of violence to be held to account.

Minister Bonginkosi Madikizela, Transport:

The affected transport modes are delivering critical services to the most vulnerable people in our society.

These actions are pure thuggery which must be condemned in the strongest terms. Law enforcement must intensify its efforts to deal with the people who are causing destruction.

20 July 2020

As of 1 pm on 20 July, the Western Cape has 13 352 active cases of COVID-19, with a total of  84 340 confirmed cases and 68334 recoveries.

Sub Districts Cape Town Metro:

Sub-districts:

Unallocated: 6097( 4965 recovered)

Data note:  As we move closer to the peak,  it is not 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 38 deaths, bringing the total number of COVID-19 related deaths in the province to 2654. We send our condolences to their loved ones at this time.

Brackengate accepts first patients:

Our Brackengate temporary hospital accepted its first patients today, making it the province’s third field hospital to open. Ten people were admitted to the 338 bed facility this afternoon, with the first patients receiving a heartwarming welcome and round of applause from the hospital team at the door.

This facility, like the CTICC Hospital of Hope, provides intermediate care to patients who require hospitalisation and oxygen, but who are not critical. The facility is equipped with oxygen at each bed, and a further eight beds fitted for high flow nasal oxygen. It is also paperless and has wifi connectivity so patients can connect to their loved ones at home.

We wish all of those who enter through its doors well as they recover. We also extend our thanks to the many people including Health Minister Nomafrench Mbombo and Minister of Transport and Public Works Bonginkosi Madikizela, to the officials and the healthcare workers who have ensured that we have been able to provide healthcare services to the people of the Western Cape, with just a short time to prepare.

Comorbidities:

The Department of Health in the province has conducted another comprehensive analysis of the comorbidities associated with COVID-19 related deaths in the province.

Diabetes and hypertension remain the leading comorbidities in the 2181deaths in people over the age of 20 in the Western Cape as at July 8. Diabetes was a comorbidity in 1042 of these deaths, and hypertension in 1086 deaths.

In almost a quarter of these deaths (513), patients had three or more comorbidities.

The data also reveals the following other comorbidities:

• 68 (cardio vascular disease)
• 277 (chronic pulmonary disease)
• 35 (cancer)
• 274 (HIV)
• 66 (TB current)
• 233 (TB previously)
• 99 (other comorbidities)

*Numbers will not add up several people had more than one comorbidity

When looking at the age breakdowns, the greatest number of deaths were recorded in people over the age of 50.

Of the 2181 deaths:

-673 were over 70 years of age

-573 were aged between 60 and 69

-512 were between the ages of 50 to 59.

These numbers show that it is vitally important that anyone who falls into these risk groups take every precaution to protect themselves.

This means staying at home as much as possible, and ensuring that if you are on any medication, that you continue to take this. Always wear a mask outside of your home, practice social distancing and wash your hands regularly. Avoid touching surfaces or your face.

If you do fall into one of these risk groups and you are experiencing symptoms such as a sore throat, fever, cough, or loss of taste and smell, it is best to get tested early, to ensure that you receive the appropriate care early on.

And while the risk of death is lower for younger people and those without comorbidities, anyone who falls into these groups can still become ill, or infect someone who has a much higher risk profile.

Each death we record in this province is one too many. We must avoid seeing these deaths only as statistics. Each of these lives had value, these are people who had families and loved ones, aspirations, stories to share and lessons to teach. We must acknowledge their humanity and ensure that we do everything in our power to protect others and save lives.

Acts of human kindness:

I would like to acknowledge the staff at Helderberg Hospital for going beyond the call of duty and helping to make the birthday of a COVID-19 patient special. Being in hospital at this time can be a very lonely experience as visitors aren’t allowed, but Mrs Wilhelmina Williams, still got to celebrate her 65^th birthday with cake and balloons last week thanks to the kindness of some healthcare workers.

I would also like to wish Mrs Williams a belated happy birthday and a speedy recovery.

Over the past week, I have joined forces with the Maskathon challenge to collect mask donations for Mandela Day. I am pleased to say that we have managed to collect pledges for over 23 500 masks. Some people have supported local mask makers, others have made cash donations while others have lovingly handcrafted masks. I would like to thank all of those businesses and individuals who have answered the call to donate, and help to make a difference in our communities. Anyone still wishing to donate can do so by going to https://maskathon.co.za/masksformadiba/.

16 July 2020

As of 1pm on 16 July, the Western Cape has 14 241 active cases of COVID-19, with a total of 82 264 confirmed cases and 65 530 recoveries.

Sub Districts Cape Town Metro:

Sub-districts:

Unallocated: 7405 (5293 recovered)

Data note:  As the province moves closer to the peak and the Department of Health is recording over 1000 new cases daily, it is not possible to check and verify that the address data supplied for each new 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 38 deaths, bringing the total number of COVID-19 related deaths in the province to 2493. We send our condolences to their loved ones at this time.

Earlier today, I held a digicon in which we detailed the work that we have done in the province to provide medical care to those affected by COVID-19, and the specific risks to diabetic patients. More information can be found in the press statement here: https://coronavirus.westerncape.gov.za/news/statement-premier-alan-winde-weekly-digital-press-conference-16-july