Today, we noted the announcement by Minister Dr. Zweli Mkhize of two positive Covid-9 cases in the Province.
This means that the Northern Cape has registered its first two positive cases, a couple that lives in Hartswater. The couple have confirmed to the Department of Health’s Rapid Response Team that they attended the Church Conference in Bloemfontein between 11th-13th March 2020.
We appreciate the proactive and open response of the couple in getting themselves tested as soon as they became aware of the reported positive patients from the conference. The couple self-isolated as soon as their suspicions were raised. They have been visited by the Department of Health’s Rapid Response Team and are now in quarantine at home where they pose no risk to the community. They are under observation and their condition is not life threatening.
The District Health Outreach Team is currently doing the contact tracing in the Phokwane Municipality and we urge community members to cooperate with the team.
Between 21st February and 21st March seventeen suspects were tested in the province and all of them tested negative for this virus. The age of those tested ranges between 4 years and 47 years. Since then, another 10 patients have been tested. We are still awaiting those results.
During this period, we encourage members of the community to continue observing the following measures to prevent the spread of Coronavirus COVID-19. These are:
- Thoroughly washing your hands with soap and water as often as possible for a period of 20 seconds. This includes washing your nails.
- Covering your mouth with a tissue or flexed elbow when coughing or sneezing and not using your hands
- Avoid touching your face as far as possible
- Drinking lots of water throughout the day to flush bacteria through your system
- Staying indoors and not attending or hosting social gatherings of any kind, including weddings and religious gatherings, to name a few.
- Clean the surfaces in your home with an alcohol based sanitizer throughout the day as the virus stays on surfaces like metal, plastic, wood and paper.
Our facilities remain ready to provide medical treatment to the infected patients and urge the rest of the Province to keep social distancing and stay at home where possible. People must not panic, but be alert and vigilant.
Released by the Office of the Premier
Enquiries:
Bronwyn Thomas-Abrahams, Spokesperson to the Premier, 083 447 6586, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Lebogang Majaha, Spokesperson to the MEC for Health, 071 883 6404, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Various members of the community representing faith based organisations, private sector and the Public Service came out in numbers to pray for the former President of our country, Nelson Mandela. The prayer service was called to give thanks to the life of the former icon and also to pray that the Almighty should keep him in the palm of His Hand. Ministers present from different denominations also prayed for Mandela’s family and relatives and for unity of the nation.