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Media Release: Update on the coronavirus by Premier Alan Winde- World Health Day an opportunity to pay tribute to nurses and focus on our health

7 April 2020

Case update:

As at 00h01 on 07 April 2020, the Western Cape had recorded 490 Covid-19 infections.

Sub Districts Cape Town Metro:

Sub-district Cases
Western 153
Southern 123
Northern 25
Tygerberg 36
Eastern 19
Klipfontein 21
Mitchells Plain 7
Khayelitsha 5
Total 389

Sub Districts Non-Metro:

District  Sub-district Cases
Garden Route Bitou 5
Garden Route Knysna 13
Garden Route George 13
Garden Route Hessequa 5
Garden Route Mossel Bay 16
Garden Route Oudtshoorn 2
Cape Winelands Stellenbosch 16
Cape Winelands Drakenstein 6
Cape Winelands Breede Valley 5
Cape Winelands Langeberg 1
Overberg Overstrand 9
Overberg Theewaterskloof 1
West Coast Saldanha Bay Municipality 2
West Coast Swartland 2

Unallocated: 5

As at 12h00 on 07 April 2020, we have 28 people admitted to hospital for Covid-19, with 10 receiving care in ICU.

Yesterday, a 57 year old man became the third Western Cape COVID-19 related death. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family and loved ones.

While the Western Cape Government, with our partners at a local and national government level, are working hard to mitigate the impact of the virus, it is up to every one of us to help stop the spread. We continue to stress the importance of basic hygiene practices such as thorough hand washing, and sneezing and coughing into an elbow or tissue. We appeal to residents to abide by the lockdown and to practice social distancing when going outside of the home to shop for food, go to the pharmacy, seek medical attention, collect a grant, or go to work in an essential service.

A message from the Western Cape Minister of Health on World Health Day:

World Health Day is celebrated on the 7th of April each year. This year, the theme is to support nurses and midwives, recognizing the vital role of nurses and other health workers. World Health Day also promotes healthy living.

Minister Nomafrench Mbombo said: “Nurses and other health workers are at the forefront of the COVID-19 response, providing high quality, respectful treatment and care, leading community dialogue to address fears and questions, and, in some instances, collecting data for clinical studies. This World Health Day, let us support the nursing and midwifery workforces to ensure that they remain strong and fully enabled to provide the healthcare that is needed by our people.”

Update on community screening:

Community screening was conducted today in Philippi, Bishop Lavis, Valhalla Park, Netreg, Kraaifontein, Scottsdene and the Bo-Kaap. We thank all of those who welcomed the community health care workers and enabled them to fulfill their important role in stemming the spread of coronavirus, by being screened and where necessary, tested.

Yesterday, screening was conducted in Mbekweni, Kwanonqaba, and Bishop Lavis, Netreg and Valhalla Park.

Community screening will be conducted in Elsiesriver, Ruyterwacht, Bothasig, Durbanville, Klipheuwel, Fisantekraal and the Bo Kaap tomorrow.

New areas and sub-districts will be announced regularly.

 Fake news: 

I welcome the news of the arrest of a Cape Town man for spreading fake news about the safety of COVID-19 testing. During this pandemic, it is critical that people are well informed, and armed with the correct information to keep themselves and their families safe. Fake news can have potentially deadly consequences and I remind residents not to share information that does not have an official or identifiable source. Residents are also reminded that the lockdown regulations have stipulated that the creation or spread of fake news is an offence.

 School feeding scheme update: 

This week, approximately 1000 schools across the province will start providing meals to learners as part of the school feeding scheme.

The education districts will work with each school that normally provides food during term time to find the best possible way to implement this humanitarian plan for their vulnerable learners, based on the unique circumstances of the school and its learners. Schools will communicate the plans to their learners’ parents.

Nutrition is integral in building the health and wellness of our communities and restarting the school nutrition programme forms part of our humanitarian response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Media Statement: SASSA Statement on Lapsed Temporary Disability Grants during Lockdown

06 April 2020

SASSA has provided a solution to temporary disability grants which lapsed or expired in March resulting in some beneficiaries not being paid.

SASSA offices were closed since the lockdown and this posed a challenge for beneficiaries whose grants expired in March and were therefore unable to re-apply at SASSA offices. The payment file for April payments was extracted before the lockdown was announced, meaning that all temporary disability grants which were due to lapse at the end of March 2020 had already lapsed and were not generated for payment in April.

In order to deal with this unintended consequence of the lockdown, SASSA is providing social relief of distress in the form of food parcels and vouchers to beneficiaries whose disability grants expired in April as an interim measure to cushion the impact of the termination of the grant benefit.

The situation will be fully remedied for those grants expiring in April because Ministerial directions issued on 30 March 2020 enable continued payment of temporary disability grants throughout the lockdown period. This development should be able to eliminate the panic caused by recent media reports.

Temporary disability grants have a lifespan of twelve months and beneficiaries have to re-apply after the prescribed period. In twelve months there is a possibility that a medical condition might have improved to the extent that it does not require continuation of temporary disability grant.

A WhatsApp message displaying an application form with a SASSA logo has been doing the rounds calling on the public to apply for food parcels. This exaggerated copy and paste message is not from SASSA. Grant beneficiaries who did not receive their grants for whatever reason will be prioritised. Preference for support will be given to citizens who are not receiving support from any other source, to ensure that the limited resources reach as many citizens as possible.

Social relief of distress requires an application process but during the declared state of disaster, applications will be done telephonically on 0800 60 10 11. The forms which have been circulating on social media and other platforms will not be accepted from the public because applications are done telephonically and only an authorised SASSA official completes the forms. Provincial Joint Operations Centres and the department of social development are coordinating the issuing of food parcels at Food Distribution Centres to alleviate the impact of the lockdown.

Issued on behalf of the South African Social security Agency
Media inquiries should be forwarded to Paseka Letsatsi on 082 883 9969 or PasekaL@sassa.gov.za

Media Statement: Interventions to assist the argricultural sector during COVID-19

06 April 2020

The Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, Ms Thoko Didiza, MP is pleased to announce the department’s interventions to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19.

The department has ring-fenced R1.2 billion for assistance to mainly target financially distressed small-scale farmers. Of the R1.2 billion, R400 million has been allocated for farmers within the Proactive Land Acquisition Strategy (PLAS) programme and the remainder will be channelled towards all other farmers that are mainly within the following commodity sectors:

  • Poultry: Day old chicks, Point of lay chickens, feed, medication and sawdust;
  • Other Livestock: Feed and medication.
  • Vegetables: Seedlings, fertilizer, pesticides, herbicides and soil correction.
  • Other commodity sectors will be evaluated on a case by case basis, as the Department continuously monitors the impact of COVID-19 on the sector at large.

Qualifying criteria for farmers
– South African citizens who have been actively farming for a minimum of 12 months and currently in the production season or cycle.
– Be registered on farmer register, commodity database or provincial
database [Those who are not on the Farmer Register will be
registered to benefit].
– Communal farmers.
– Smallholder farmers with annual turnover between R50 000 and
R1 million.
– The adjudication will prioritise women, youth and people with
disabilities.

Exclusions
Mechanisation, infrastructure and overhead costs will NOT be
supported. This is not comprehensive support but intervention package
amid COVID-19.

Farmers who are preparing for the 2020 summer production season will
not be supported. The aim is to provide immediate to near-term support
to smallholder farmers currently affected by COVID-19.

Farmers who are currently receiving support through other programmes
of government and its entities.

No payment for debts.

The applications for this funding will be open from 08 April 2020 and will
close on 22 April 2020. No late entries will be accepted. Application
forms will be available on 08 April 2020 on the departmental website –
www.dalrrd.gov.za and through national, provincial, district and local
offices of both the national Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and
Rural Development and Provincial Departments of Agriculture.

Applications will be lodged electronically at applications@dalrrd.gov.za
or submitted to the offices as outlined.

The Minister wishes to also encourage all stakeholders within the sector
to observe and implement regulations as published by Government
Notice No. 318 of 18 March 2020, as amended by Government Notices
Nos. R 398 of 25 March 2020 and R419 of 26 March 2020. The
observation and implementation of these prescripts on health and
occupational safety is also critical for the farmworkers, who are the
backbone of the food supply system.

“I urge all employers within the sector to fully comply with all the
applicable prescripts. Together, as stakeholders within the sector we
have a mandate to ensure that there is access to sufficient, safe and
nutritious food for our country,” said Minister Didiza.

END
For media enquiries contact the Media Liaison Officer Mr Reggie
Ngcobo on 0828832458

Issued by the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural
Development

Media Statement: Update on the coronavirus by Premier Alan Winde – over 1000 people screened on first day

6 April 2020

Case update:

As at 00h01 on 06 April 2020, the Western Cape had 475 recorded Covid-19 infections.

Sub Districts Cape Town Metro: 

Sub-district Cases
Western 147
Southern 119
Northern 25
Tygerberg 35
Eastern 19
Klipfontein 21
Mitchells Plain 7
Khayelitsha 4
Total 377

Sub Districts Non-Metro:

District  Sub-district Cases
Garden Route Bitou 5
Garden Route Knysna 12
Garden Route George 13
Garden Route Hessequa 5
Garden Route Mossel Bay 16
Garden Route Oudtshoorn 2
Cape Winelands Stellenbosch 16
Cape Winelands Drakenstein 6
Cape Winelands Breede Valley 5
Cape Winelands Langeberg 1
Overberg Overstrand 9
Overberg Theewaterskloof 1
West Coast Saldanha Bay Municipality 2
West Coast Swartland 2

Unallocated: 3

As at 12h00 today, there are currently 26 patients in hospital, of which 12 are in ICU.

We are also very sad to note that the Western Cape recorded its second COVID-19 related death over the weekend. The patient was an 82 year old woman.

We convey our sincere condolences to the deceased’s family, friends and community during this very difficult time.

Community testing update:

Community screening got underway in two communities over the weekend (Happy Valley and Ilitha Park) and rolled out in a further five today. A total of 1492 people were screened over the weekend, and 45 swabs taken.

Minister of Health, Nomafrench Mbombo said: “We must ensure that our vulnerable communities are screened and tested in greater numbers to ensure our people are protected against the spread of the COVID-19 disease​. I was at Mbekweni in Paarl this morning to give support to our community teams and we had a huge turn-out”.

Over the weekend, we also saw a number of false reports around what the testing entails. One of these was a video indicating that the test swabs are contaminated.

We strongly condemn this fake news. SAPS has indicated to us today that they are investigating this instance of spreading fake news, and I hope the appropriate steps are taken against the person responsible. This kind of messaging is not only inaccurate, it is also dangerous as people could put their own health, and the health of those around them, at risk by not getting tested when they should in fact get tested.

The screening process which we are rolling out entails the following:

-Community Health Workers will go door-to-door to ask people standard questions.

-Depending on the answers, some people will be asked to present themselves for testing.

-Testing will be done in either a mobile unit, or at the nearest health facility – community members will be advised where to go.

-At the health facility/ mobile unit, social distancing measures will be put in place.

-The test will be performed as a mouth swab, which is clinically safe.

–The community member will be advised to quarantine themselves while they await their test result which can take approximately two days.

If the test is positive for COVID-19, the person will be contacted and the process of isolation will be explained to them. If they are unable to isolate themselves in their current home situation, arrangements will be made for them to be transferred to a safe isolation facility.

-Their recent close contacts will also be contacted by a tracing team.

This screening is not something to be afraid of. It is part of our country’s effort to stop the spread of the virus, by making sure those who are sick are identified and cared for.

We ask that you welcome these healthcare workers into your communities. By working together, we can stop the spread and save many lives.

Healthcare workers:

This week, we observe World Health Worker Week and we would like to use the opportunity to pay tribute to all health workers who make up our healthcare system and thank them for their hard work throughout the year. As we face this global pandemic, we are especially grateful for the work that our medical staff do and for the sacrifices they make. The best way that we can support the work that these heroes do is by ensuring that we stay home and obey the rules of the lockdown. We also call on residents who want to wear masks in public, to make or use cloth ones, and to reserve N95 respirators and medical masks for our staff who need them most.

Food parcels update:

Following the announcement over the weekend of additional funding for food parcels, the Department of Social Development has begun the rollout of 50 000 food parcels, which will sustain an average household for one month.

Households must meet the following criteria:

  • Households affected by COVID-19 infections in the following instances:

–       A member/s of the family who tested positive for the virus and are in isolation in their homes.

–       A household where a member of the family tested positive for the virus and where the family has insufficient means to sustain themselves during the lockdown period.

-A person who is on medication or who suffers from a chronic illness, has insufficient means to sustain themselves, and was assessed and referred by a local clinic or registered health practitioner.

-A person and their household who have insufficient means to sustain themselves during the lockdown period, has been referred by a registered humanitarian relief agency, registered NPO or a local municipality, and assessed by the Department of Social Development. In this instance, persons not yet in receipt of SASSA grants, including the elderly, child headed houses and grant awaiting beneficiaries will be prioritised.

Members of the public can phone 0800 220 250 for DSD general queries, and 0860 142 142 for donation requests and offers between 7am and 4pm (Monday-Friday), send a Please Call Me to 079 769 1207, or email covid19donate@westerncape.gov.za

Media Statement: WCED to implement school feeding of vulnerable learners during lockdown

Date: 6 April 2020

Statement by Minister Debbie Schäfer

The Western Cape Government has been working hard to find a solution that would ensure that our learners who normally receive school meals during term time do not go hungry during this extended school closure and lockdown.

We have now been allocated emergency funding from the Province in order to support our learners who ordinarily receive school feeding during term time over the next two weeks.

As it stands, the school closure declared by the President is an extended holiday, with the ‘lost’ teaching days due to be made up during the rest of the year. We were thus unable to use our existing National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP) funding to assist during the lockdown, as we need these funds to continue feeding learners when the ‘lost’ days are made up later.

We have been working with our Department of Social Development, and agreed that, if we could obtain the additional funding, we would be able to provide meals to as many of our NSNP learners as we can during this uncertain time.

On Friday 2 April, our head of Department wrote to school principals asking that they prepare for the reintroduction of school feeding as early as this week.

There are many things to consider. This is a very complex process to activate while schools are still closed for learners. Some of these considerations include:

• Learners that do not necessarily go to their nearest school and travel instead, by choice, to schools outside of their neighbourhood, but still require feeding
• Rural learners that live far from their schools
• Social distancing while collecting meals
• The distribution of takeaway meals or food parcels, and the safety of learners travelling home with food parcels.
• Safety of feeding volunteers
• The issuing of permits for travel of volunteers and school staff required to manage the process

These are just a few of the challenges that we face and which affect the decisions that need to be made within the next few days on reintroducing the scheme. There might be some variances at local level and this flexibility is required to ensure we reach as many of our vulnerable learners as possible.

Districts will communicate with schools as plans per school are being finalized. This includes the days of distribution at the various schools. In most cases it is expected that schools will feed on Wednesday and Friday in the week starting 6 April, and on the Tuesday and Friday in the week starting 13 April. However, some schools might wish to feed daily on week days from Wednesday 8 April. This decision will be taken by individual schools and communicated to their school communities, depending on circumstances on the ground.

It is not intended that learners will sit down at schools and eat, but will collect the food in containers that they will be asked to bring with them. The implementation will be mindful of the need for social distancing during the lockdown period, which is essential if we are to #StopTheSpread of the coronavirus.

We look forward to working with schools and service providers in this regard. This is a time when we need to stand together as a province and as a country in protecting those among us who need extra help.

The School Nutrition Programme feeds approximately 483 000 of our poorer learners. We need to get to as many learners as possible in this very difficult time.

I want to express my deep appreciation to the 1 010 principals and those staff and food preparers who will be assisting in this humanitarian task to address the hunger challenges of many learners.

Media Enquiries:
Kerry Mauchline – Spokesperson to Minister Debbie Schäfer
Cell: 084 210 3003 (Whatsapp preferred)
Email: Kerry.Mauchline@westerncape.gov.za

 

Media Statement: Additional R53 million allocated to food relief programmes in the Western Cape

Date: 05 April 2020

Yesterday (04 April 2020), Provincial Treasury approved the allocation of R53 million additional funding for emergency food relief programmes that will run across the Western Cape.

Premier of the Western Cape, Alan Winde said: “We know that the lockdown is tough on everyone and is impacting on the livelihoods of many families across the Western Cape. That is why we are working hard to ensure that no-one goes hungry during this difficult time and that we are all able to play our part to stop the spread of the Coronavirus. We have therefore taken a number of emergency steps to ensure our residents get the nutrition they need.”
The allocation of funds for the emergency food provision plan includes:

  • R20 million to distribute 50 000 food parcels, each of which will support a family of four for one month. The Department of Social Development will allocate these funds to selected NGOs to prepare and distribute the food parcels.
  • R5 million to the Department of Social Development for delivery of an additional 10 000 cooked meals per day for one month.
  • R18 million to the Department of Education to initiate a special school feeding program from 8 April until 20 April, which will target the 485 000 existing school feeding scheme beneficiaries with one takeaway meal a day at approximately 1 000 schools.
  • R10 million to increase the number of beneficiaries receiving food at existing Department of Social Development feeding schemes to 6 520 people.

The Department of Social Development has also reactivated the Early Childhood Development (ECD) feeding schemes at the majority of the 1 100 ECDs funded by the department. This will feed up to 80 000 children a day once fully up and running.

Premier Winde continued: “This is a welcome boost that will widen our existing nutritional safety net to provide hundreds of thousands more people who need it most with cooked meals and food parcels.”
Minister of Social Development, Sharna Fernandez added, “Only a whole-of-society approach through the efforts of all spheres of society can help curb the pressure we experience on our available services. In this regard, our NGO partners are critical to helping us deliver this feeding programme during this difficult time, and the existing network in place will ensure that we can get food to those who need it most, as quickly as possible.”

Minister of Education, Debbie Schäfer further added, “We look forward to working with schools and service providers to supply meals to as many of our school children as possible who normally qualify for the national school feeding programme. This is a time when we need to stand together as a province and as a country in protecting those among us who need extra help.

“The National School Nutrition Programme feeds approximately 483 000 of our poorer learners. We need to get to as many learners as possible in this very difficult time.”

More information about these feeding programmes will be provided by Minister Fernandez and Minister Schäfer this week. All necessary measures will be taken to ensure the safety and health of those involved in the implementation of the food relief programmes, including social distancing.

Media Queries: Francine Higham Cell: 071 087 5150 Email: francine.higham@westerncape.gov.za

Media Statement: Update on the Coronavirus by Premier Alan Winde

05 April 2020

Case update:

As at 00h01 on 05 April 2020, the Western Cape had recorded 464 Covid-19 infections.

As we all strive to stop the spread of the Coronavirus by staying at home and abiding by the lock-down, let’s have in our minds the lives we will each save if we all work together. We are staying home for ourselves, our family and friends, our children, our grandmas and grandpas, for the healthcare workers who are facing this virus head on and need our help to flatten the curve, and for our fellow men and women across South Africa.

Sub Districts Cape Town Metro:

Sub-district Cases
Western 145
Southern 118
Northern 25
Tygerberg 35
Eastern 19
Klipfontein 17
Mitchells Plain 6
Khayelitsha 3
Total 368

Sub Districts Non-Metro:

District  Sub-district Cases
Garden Route Bitou 5
Garden Route Knysna 12
Garden Route George 12
Garden Route Hessequa 5
Garden Route Mossel Bay 14
Garden Route Oudtshoorn 2
Cape Winelands Stellenbosch 16
Cape Winelands Drakenstein 6
Cape Winelands Breede Valley 5
Cape Winelands Langeberg 1
Overberg Overstrand 9
Overberg Theewaterskloof 1
West Coast Saldanha Bay Municipality 2
West Coast Swartland 2

Unallocated: 4

As at 12h00 on 05 April 2020, we have 20 people admitted to hospital for Covid-19, with nine receiving care in ICU.

A message from the Western Cape Minister of Health

Western Cape Health Minister, Nomafrench Mbombo said: “With cases of Covid-19 spreading throughout the province, doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers are on the frontlines of the pandemic as they care for these patients in our hospitals. The best way we can thank them is by staying home.

“Our medical students are also pitching in to provide Coronavirus education on the phone. They are facing enormous challenges, yet they are responding with courage, resolve and professionalism.  Their dedication is a true inspiration.

“Today, I would like to thank our EMS staff, physicians, nurses, community health workers and all healthcare workers and support staff who are caring for the most vulnerable among us.”

For the latest news and information on the Coronavirus in the Western Cape visit: https://www.westerncape.gov.za/department-of-health/coronavirus

Media Queries:

Francine Higham

Email: francine.higham@westerncape.gov.za

Media Statement: Update on the coronavirus by Premier Alan Winde – Community screening commences today

04 April 2020

Case update:

As at 00h01 on 04 April 2020, the Western Cape had recorded 446 Covid-19 infections.

Sub Districts Cape Town Metro:

Sub-district Cases
Western 130
Southern 116
Northern 24
Tygerberg 34
Eastern 19
Klipfontein 15
Mitchells Plain 7
Khayelitsha 2
Total 347

Sub Districts Non-Metro:

District  Sub-district Cases
Garden Route Bitou 5
Garden Route Knysna 10
Garden Route George 12
Garden Route Hessequa 5
Garden Route Mossel Bay 11
Garden Route Oudtshoorn 2
Cape Winelands Stellenbosch 16
Cape Winelands Drakenstein 6
Cape Winelands Breede Valley 5
Cape Winelands Langeberg 1
Overberg Overstrand 9
Overberg Theewaterskloof 1
West Coast Saldanha Bay 1
West Coast Swartland 2

Unallocated: 13

As at 12h00 on 04 April 2020, we have 23 people admitted to hospital for Covid-19, with nine receiving care in ICU.

As we start to see an increase in local transmission cases, we expect to experience additional pressure on our health facilities and health workers.

We again urge all our residents to stay home and abide by the lock-down. By doing this, you can help flatten the curve, and save many lives.

If you are feeling sick, it is important that you stay home and call our hotline (021 928 4102) for advice on what to do next.

If you have any difficulty breathing, you must seek urgent healthcare immediately.

Community screening starts today

In my update yesterday, I announced that the Western Cape Department of Health has identified seven areas where community screening will be conducted.

I can confirm that in fact community screening has already begun today in Happy Valley and Ilitha Park. Credit must be given to the teams at the Department of Health who are implementing this programme so quickly.

Community screening is still scheduled to commence in the following Cape Town Metro sub-districts, and in some areas, we’ve already begun loud hailing operations to make the communities aware:

  • Khayelitsha: Town2 (Monday)
  • Western: Bo-Kaap (Tuesday)
  • Tygerberg: Bishop Lavis (Monday)
  • Klipfontein: Philippi (Monday)

And, in the non-rural districts:

  • Kwanonqaba, Mossel Bay (Monday)
  • Mbekweni, Cape Winelands (Monday)

A reminder that our community healthcare workers will be identifiable by their uniforms and ID cards, and members of the public are advised to request the person’s credentials as part of rigorous safety precautions. We urge community members to welcome the Community Health Workers and to co-operate with them.

President’s Coordinating Council (PCC)

I participated in the President’s Coordinating Council today. I used the opportunity to commit the Western Cape Government to our country’s number one priority: to stop the spread of the Coronavirus and save lives.

During my presentation, I also used the opportunity to raise concerns regarding incidents of police brutality. These incidents must be condemned, and we urge all those with complaints to please report these to IPID as soon as possible.

On the discussion on regulations, I requested a common-sense approach that would allow, for example, equipment needed for e-learning for students to be purchased during the lockdown. Ensuring that learning continues for our children is a top priority of the Western Cape Government.

We have officially sent a list of issues that would require clarification to Minister Dlamini-Zuma, and we are looking forward to further discussions so that clarity can be provided.

First repatriation flight for foreign nationals

Thanks to the considerable efforts of the Provincial Joint Operations Centre (JOC), the first repatriation flight for foreign nationals departed from Cape Town International Airport yesterday (03 April 2020) afternoon.

This first flight saw 277 citizens from Germany, who were unable to leave before the lockdown, depart for Frankfurt.  A second flight to Munich will be departing today.

We are incredibly grateful to all those in provincial and national government who assisted, as well as the teams at Cape Town stadium, Airports Company South Africa (ACSA), Cape Town International Airport (CTIA), the German Consulate in Cape Town and the South African Police Service (SAPS) whose involvement ensured the success of this repatriation project.

Media Statement: Update on the coronavirus by Premier Alan Winde- call for health professionals to volunteer

3 April 2020

Case update:

As at 00h01 on April 3, the Western Cape had recorded 418 COVID-19 infections.

Sub Districts Cape Town Metro:

Sub District Breakdown (Cape Town metro):

Metro
Cases
Western 127
Southern 113
Northern 23
Tygerberg 32
Eastern 17
Klipfontein 12
Mitchells Plain 7
Khayelitsha 2
Total 333

Sub Districts Non-Metro:

Non-metro
District  Sub-district  Cases
Garden Route Bitou 5
Garden Route Knysna 8
Garden Route George 12
Garden Route Hessequa 5
Garden Route Mossel Bay 10
Garden Route Oudtshoorn 2
Cape Winelands Stellenbosch 15
Cape Winelands Drakenstein 6
Cape Winelands Breede Valley 5
Cape Winelands Langeberg 1
Overberg Overstrand 9
Overberg Theewaterskloof 1
West Coast Saldanha Bay Municipality 1
West Coast Swartland 1

Unallocated: 4

Today, we have seen another increase in the number of people admitted to hospital- which now stands at 25, with seven receiving care in ICU.

As we start to see an increase in local transmission cases, we expect to experience additional pressure on our health facilities and health workers.

Call for Health Professionals to volunteer their services:

The Western Cape Government is announcing a call today for healthcare workers to volunteer in the effort to fight the Coronavirus in the province. We have over the past few weeks received numerous requests to volunteer and offers to help and we are now asking local medically trained personnel, to join our database for possible call up when needed. Globally, we have seen an outpouring of help and support in the fight against this virus, and it is our hope that our own residents will respond to our call with the same care and willingness to help.

Western Cape Health Minister, Nomafrench Mbombo said: “I am calling on skilled health professionals residing in the province and beyond the borders of the province, to volunteer and assist in the fight to stop the spread of COVID-19, in the Western Cape. This COVID-19 pandemic along with the pre-existing burden of disease are placing our facilities under tremendous pressure.

I call on all available health professionals to take up this opportunity to make a meaningful contribution and to assist in our response to this pandemic,” Minister Mbombo said.

Volunteer doctors, nurses and emergency medical service personnel who are NOT employees of the Department can help mitigate the additional pressures COVID-19 will be placing on our services, over the coming weeks and months.

Those interested in adding their support can register on the COVID-19 Volunteer Recruitment website:https://www.westerncape.gov.za/department-of-health/volunteer-recruitment-questionaire

Community screening:

The Western Cape Department of Health has identified 7 areas where community screening will begin from Monday.

In the Cape Town Metro sub-districts, these include:

Khayelitsha: Town2 and Ilitha Park (Monday)

Eastern: Happy Valley (Monday)

Western: Bo-Kaap (Tuesday)

Tygerberg: Bishop Lavis (Monday)

Klipfontein: Philippi (Monday)

In the non-rural districts:

Kwanonqaba, Mossel Bay (Monday)

Mbekweni, Cape Winelands (Monday)

Community screening is going to be an important tool as we work to stop the spread of Coronavirus in our communities, and we will be announcing new and additional sites for community screening as they are confirmed.

Our community healthcare workers will be identifiable by their uniforms and ID cards, and members of the public are advised to request the person’s credentials as part of rigorous safety precautions. We urge community members to welcome the Community Health Workers and to co-operate with them.

Visit from the National Health Minister:

Today, National Health Minister Zweli Mkhize visited the Western Cape, where we presented our provincial response to him and his team. We were able to demonstrate our GIS mapping system, case tracking and data management system which has informed our community screening and testing strategy, as part of our comprehensive health service response to Covid-19.

Minister Mkhize expressed his support for the province’s work in this regard as well as our whole of society approach to ensure that the response to Coronavirus is not just focused on health, but also addresses other important issues such as the economy, sanitation and food and hunger.

As the Western Cape Government, we are cognizant of the need for all levels of government to work collaboratively in order to ensure a comprehensive and effective response to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

Comment by Premier Alan Winde on regulations around essential goods

3 April 2020

There has been a lot of debate online about how regulations, especially relating to what you can buy at the shops, are being interpreted.

I want to make something very clear: All of us have one clear objective in mind – and one only: to stop the spread of Covid-19, and to collectively, as a country, help save lives.

We know that the regulations were created for this reason. And any clarifications or updates to them – which, considering how quickly we moved into Lockdown is entirely normal – needs to be done with that ultimate aim in mind – to continue keeping us all safe

I also want to emphasise this, because it wasn’t reported correctly:

The Western Cape Government does not have the power to change regulations. From the outset we have shown our full support to President Ramaphosa for the lock-down and we are doing everything we can to help ensure these regulations are enforced.

The regulations are however at times vague, and residents across the province are confused about what it means for them.

We have tried to help with this interpretation, after consulting our legal team, and SAPS. We have done this only to provide the clarity many people need – so that they can abide by regulations properly. Everyone wants to play their part.

This requires common sense but also an understanding of the objective of the regulations: to keep people from gathering and spreading the virus.

I see the debate has largely centred on cigarette sales. But this is actually only one of many questions we sought advice on from SAPS.

For example, can you buy a data dongle so you can access e-learning resources? Can learners buy notebooks and pens to study? This is so important for our learners right now who need an education while our schools are closed.

There are many more.

I take cooperating with national government towards achieving our goal of beating Covid-19 very seriously.

I therefore called President Cyril Ramaphosa this morning to make clear that our concerns relate to the proper interpretation of the regulations, which are at times vague. Together with the national government, we want to apply a common sense approach to them that stops the spread, but also assists us with things like e-learning, for example.

The President has agreed that we can submit a list of these issues that require clarification to the Minister of Cooperative Governance today, and that a special President’s Coordinating Council will be called tomorrow to discuss regulations in particular.

Reference: https://www.westerncape.gov.za/department-of-health/news/comment-premier-alan-winde-regulations-around-essential-goods