News

15 June 2020

As of 1pm on 15 June, the Western Cape has 13166 active cases of COVID-19, with a total of  42 892 confirmed cases and 28 615  recoveries.

Sub Districts Cape Town Metro:

Sub-districts:

Unallocated: 4538 (1891 recovered).

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

The Western Cape has recorded an additional 63 deaths, bringing the total number of COVID-19 related deaths in the province to 1111. We send our condolences to the families and loved ones of the deceased at this time.

US Consul General donates 20 ventilators:

Today, I received a donation of ventilators from the Consul General of the United States, Virginia Blaser. These 20 form part of a donation of 50 ventilators which the United States has made to South Africa.

These ventilators were accepted by doctors from the Tygerberg and to Groote Schuur hospitals, where they will be used to treat seriously ill, and ICU patients.

The ventilators are smaller and more portable than many of the ventilators that we currently have in our healthcare system, allow for intubation and non-invasive ventilation and therefore will give doctors treating patients a greater degree of flexibility when moving patients and determining the best treatment options (see attached fact sheet about the ventilators).

The Western Cape has been working hard to prepare our healthcare systems, and these new ventilators will allow us to deliver potentially life-saving treatment to many more people. We thank the United States consulate in South Africa for their assistance during this pandemic, and for their partnership which stretches back many years.

Consul General Virginia Blaser said: “While today we mark the donation of 20 ventilators, we are really marking 20 years of life saving partnership between the United States and the Western Cape. Through PEPFAR, we are supporting over 4.7 million people living with HIV in South Africa. It is my hope that these ventilators will also offer life-saving support in the battle against COVID-19”.

Chrysalis graduates deployed to Khayelitsha:

Today, Minister of Community Safety Albert Fritz announced that 60 Chrysalis graduates have been deployed to various shopping centres and community health facilities in Khayelitsha as part of our hotspot strategy. These graduates have undergone training  and will help to build awareness of COVID-19 and encouraging people to adhere to social distancing protocols.

On the eve of Youth Day, it is so encouraging to see young people playing their part in communities to slow the spread of the virus and ultimately, save lives.

The hotspot strategy is all about using partnerships and encouraging a whole of society approach. The Department of Community Safety has worked closely with the Department of Health, the Khayelitsha Development Forum, Medicins Sans Frontiers, and of course, the Chrysalis Academy, to bring this deployment about. We wish these young people well and thank them for helping to protect communities in the Western Cape.

The Western Cape Government is rolling out a number of interventions in the province’s hotspots which are aimed at encouraging behavioural change to slow the spread of the coronavirus. We have already introduced the Red Dot taxi service to transport heatlhcare workers, and a major communications campaign which will include nearly 10 000 street pole posters in hotspot communities and new radio advertisements using healthcare workers. By staying safe, we will be able to protect our high risk loved ones and save lives.

14 June 2020

As of 1pm on 14 June, the Western Cape has 11657 active cases of COVID-19, with a total of 40 232 confirmed cases and 27 527 recoveries.

Sub Districts Cape Town Metro:

Sub-districts:

Unallocated: 4302 (1852 recovered)

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 1048. We send our condolences to the families and loved ones of the deceased at this time.

Earlier today, I launched our new communications campaign which will roll out thousands of street pole posters in isiXhosa, English and Afrikaans in all of our hotspots. More information is available here: https://coronavirus.westerncape.gov.za/news/premier-winde-launches-stay-safe-save-lives-street-pole-poster-public-awareness-campaign

14 June 2020

As part of my continued visits to our Human Settlements construction sites to ensure they are compliant with the COVID-19 and all other health and safety prescripts as issued by my Department, I’ll be conducting a similar oversight in the Garden Route.

In addition to this, I will be engaging various stakeholders, including executive and senior management in the Bitou, Knysna, George, Oudtshoorn, and Mossel Bay municipalities. I am particularly concerned that some municipalities still do not understand how the funding model of human settlements works and this will once again be clarified during these engagements.

Where permitted, I encourage relevant stakeholders, which includes associations, organisations and the media, to form part of these engagements, so that there’s a clear understanding of my Department’s processes.

It is critical to keep in mind that Alert level 3 regulations, limits the number of people in any meeting to a maximum of 50. This needs to strictly be adhered to, particularly if social distancing is to be achieved.

My visit will commence in the Bitou Municipality, followed by the Knysna Municipality on 17 June. On 18 June, I will be in George and on 19 June, I will visit the Oudtshoorn and Mosselbay Municipalities. Further details will follow.

The Western Cape Government remains committed to accelerating human settlement delivery, while promoting social inclusion through the development of integrated, safe, resilient and sustainable human settlements in an open opportunity society.

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

13 June 2020

As of 1pm on 13 June, the Western Cape has 11415 active cases of COVID-19, with a total of 39159 confirmed cases and 26736 recoveries.

Sub Districts Cape Town Metro:

Sub-districts:

Unallocated: 4246 (1758).

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 966. We send our condolences to the families and loved ones of the deceased at this time.

Recoveries:

The Western Cape has now recorded over 26 000 recoveries, representing a total of 68% of all cases registered to date. In the Tygerberg sub-district which has the highest number of infections in the province, 75% of all cases have recovered so far, and in Khayelitsha which has the second highest number of infections, the recovery rate stands at 79%

Many people who contract COVID-19 will have mild symptoms and most will recover without any need for hospitalisation. But this does not mean that we should be any less careful- as you could experience mild symptoms, but you could also pass on the virus to your parents or grandparents, or someone in one of the high risk groups.

People with existing comorbidities are more at risk of becoming severely ill if they contract COVID-19. Those most at risk include those who are:

• Individuals with comorbidities, at any age
• 55 years an older, with or without co-morbidities

The overwhelming majority of COVID-19 positive people who have died in the province have had one or more comorbidities.  Co-morbidity is the presence of one or more additional diseases or conditions occurring with a primary medical condition. The most prevalent comorbidities in deaths due to COVID-19 across all age groups in the Western Cape are diabetes and hypertension.

Other common comorbidities also include HIV, kidney, lung and heart disease.

Deaths:

Today, we have also sadly surpassed the 1000 deaths mark. Each of these people is mourned by loved ones who miss them terribly. They have all played a role in our society- the numbers include essential workers like healthcare workers and law enforcement officers, people who worked hard everyday to provide for their families, parents, grandparents, and people who were part of our communities. We send our deepest condolences to all of those who have lost a loved one to COVID-19.

We know that many more people will become sick and we will lose more lives but we must all do everything we can to ensure that we slow the spread of the virus. We all need to make the golden rules of infection prevention a part of our daily lives. We should all still be staying at home as much as possible, washing our hands regularly and cleaning surfaces like counter tops, desks and door handles at home and at work. When you do leave home, ensure that you are wearing a clean cloth mask and keep that 1.5 metre distance between you and any other person when you’re standing in queues, waiting for the bus or you’re in any area where people are congregating.

For those who fall into the vulnerable groups, it’s important that you continue to take additional steps to protect yourself by staying at home, and being vigilant about hand-washing and hygiene.

These steps can help us all to save lives.

11 June 2020

At today’s weekly digital press conference, I was joined by Provincial Minister of Education, Debbie Schäfer, the Head of Department of Education in the Western Cape, Brian Schreuder, the Head of the Western Cape Department of Health, Dr Keith Cloete, and Chairperson of the South African Paediatric Association, Professor Mignon McCulloch, to provide the public with an update on the safe re-opening of schools in this province.

I fully understand that parents are worried about the Covid-19 pandemic and how the re-opening of schools might impact their child’s well-being. As a parent myself, I know that our number one priority is always the safety of our children.

Medical evidence to support re-opening schools:

That is why as a provincial government, working in cooperation with the National Department of Basic Education, we have followed top medical advice in supporting the decision to re-open schools safely in this province.

The South African Paediatric Association has supported the staggered re-opening schools based on medical evidence:

“Children biologically contain SARS-CoV-2 better than adults, are less likely to get sick if infected, have milder disease, are unlikely to die from Covid-19, and are probably less infectious than adults.”

Professor Mignon McCulloch, who joined the press conference, is the Head of Paediatrics at the Red Cross Children’s Hospital. She also serves on the Executive Council of the International Paediatric Nephology Association and is President of the International Paediatric Transplant Association.

Professor McCulloch added: “Considering that children are at lower risk of acquiring and transmitting SARS-CoV-2, as a group of paediatricians advocating on behalf of our patients, we are of the opinion that the benefits (educational, mental & psychological health, food security and safety) of getting most children back to school exceeds that of keeping them at home.  Provided the precautions of face masks, hand-sanitising, environmental cleaning and physical distancing are adhered to, we support the staggered approach of getting children back to school. Where cases of infection do arise, these should be managed on a case by case basis. However, we respect the autonomy of well-informed parents and caregivers to decide what is in the best interests of their children.”

According to data provided by the Western Cape Department of Health, as of 5 June 2020, there had been a total of 1787 cases of Covid-19 in people under the age of 20. This represents roughly 6% of all cases at the time.

The age-groups can be broken down as follows:

Of these 1787 Covid-19 infections, 5 children unfortunately died. This accounts for 0,3% of all confirmed cases of those infected under the age or 20 and they are often linked to serious comorbidities (underlying health conditions).

Every single death in this province is a death too many, and I extend my sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of these children.

The data, however, does show that children are at a significantly lower risk than adults. In fact, those at highest risk are residents over the age off 55 and those with underlying health conditions such as Diabetes and Hypertension.

Not re-opening schools will hurt our poorest residents the most

There has not been enough discussion about the negative impact on the well-being of our learners of keeping schools closed.

Minister Schäfer said: “Extended school closures do not affect all learners equally, owing to unequal access to home learning support and the internet. Learners in poorer communities are reliant on in-class teaching to receive their education, and the longer schools are closed, the more they are disadvantaged. The gap will only grow between those learners who cannot access education via digital alternatives at home (in our poorer communities in the main), and those who can and do.”

In addition, children who rely on the National School Nutrition Programme lose access to this nutrition during extended school closures. This can negatively impact their health.

Through emergency funding, the Western Cape Department of Education provided over 1,2 million meals during the lockdown period. This will continue to be sustained through the normal school feeding programme now that schools have re-opened again.

Ensuring that schools re-open safely:

The reality is that the virus is going to be around with us for some time, possibly another year at least.

We must adjust to the “new normal” of Covid-19, by making sure that we re-open our schools in a way that reduces the risk and ensures the safety of our learners and staff.

It is for this reason that the Western Cape Education Department has spent R280 million on masks and cleaning materials thus far.

This includes:

• 2.4 million masks (2 per learner and staff member)
• Over 7 000 non-contact digital thermometers
• Millions of litres of hand sanitiser, liquid soap, disinfectant and bleach

The Department has also adopted clear guidelines for the management of cases at schools.

Minister Schäfer said: “Whenever a staff member or learner who has been present at a school is confirmed as positive for Covid-19, the affected areas at the school will be decontaminated. Learners and staff members will not be present when the affected areas are decontaminated.  The school will re-open once the certificate of decontamination is received from the service provider.”

In terms of these guidelines:

• Those who have been in close contact (e.g. handshake or hug) with a confirmed positive case (whether at school or outside school) are required to self-isolate for 14 days from their last contact with the individual.
• Those not in close contact do not have to self-isolate. Those who are casual contacts must however be monitored for symptoms.
• If there has been a confirmed case of Covid-19 then the school is required to contact the district for assistance in terms of decontamination.
• The need to close a class, part of school, or school will be assessed on a case by case basis, in line with Dept of Health Guidelines.
• The decision to close a school is only taken by the HOD, and parents and staff will always be informed of cases in a school.

Working with learners to ensure a safe re-opening

In addition to masks, and good hygiene, every single person entering a school in the Western Cape will be screened. A dedicated screening app has been produced for this purpose.

Furthermore, learners and staff will undertake an orientation programme, which includes:

• Why and how to wear a mask
• Important hygiene procedures
• The screening process
• New classroom etiquette and behaviour
• New physical distancing measures
• Important contact information
• How to identify symptoms of Covid-19
• What to do when someone has Covid-19

Those learners that have comorbidities will be supported by the department for home-schooling, and parents will be required to collect the material from their schools.

The Department will make public more information on home-schooling once national directives are announced this week.

We also want to appeal to the public for their understanding and co-operation in ensuring that no external people go onto school premises, unless absolutely necessary.  The virus spreads through people, so the more we can limit additional people on school premises, the better.

Following the golden rules

To all our teachers, support and admin staff, and parents: I thank you so much for everything you are doing to ensure our learners get the best education possible during this challenging time. You are all heroes.

Your courage is needed for our young residents, who will look to you during this uncertain time for strength and guidance.

I also remind you that the most important thing we can all do during this pandemic is to follow the golden rules, which include:

• Keep your hands clean, washing them regularly with soap and water (or to use hand-sanitiser)
• Keep your distance from other people (at least 1.5 metres)
• Sneeze into a tissue or the corner of your arm
• Wear a clean cloth mask properly
• Stay home if you are sick, and first call the hotline for advice on what to do next (021 928 4102)

11 June 2020

As of 1pm on 11 June, the Western Cape has 11 696 active cases of COVID-19, with a total of 36 673  confirmed cases and 24 040 recoveries.

The Western Cape Government has experienced delays in receiving some of its data today and we are investigating some issues on our live dashboard. We are working to resolve these issues urgently and once resolved,  we will update the data for the sub-districts.

The Western Cape has recorded an additional 36 deaths, bringing the total number of COVID-19 related deaths in the province to 927. We send our condolences to their loved ones at this time.

Digitial Press Conference on Schools Re-opening:

At today’s weekly digital press conference, I was joined by Provincial Minister of Education, Debbie Schäfer, the Head of Department of Education in the Western Cape, Brian Schreuder, the Head of the Western Cape Department of Health, Dr Keith Cloete, and Chairperson of the South African Paediatric Association, Professor Mignon McCulloch, to provide the public with an update on the safe re-opening of schools in this province.

You can view the full-statement released at the press conference here: https://coronavirus.westerncape.gov.za/news/re-opening-schools-western-cape-safely-best-interests-our-learners