Thread by @DrZweliMkhize

#ZweliMkhize: As at 26 February 121 people have been tested for Coronavirus and all the results were negative #COVID19

ZweliMkhize: We must commend DIRCO and the embassy staff as well as Chinese authorities for assisting to locate our citizens in China #COVID19

#ZweliMkhize: We gave a directive that every citizen must be frequently contacted directly personally and their concerns recorded. This has enabled government to properly evaluate their needs. #COVID19

#ZweliMkhize: Following the President’s directive for the repatriation of asymptomatic South African citizens in Wuhan City, where the epicenter of the outbreak is, such contingency plans are now being effected as a matter of extreme urgency. #COVID19

#ZweliMkhize: We are making a special appeal to the families who may have relatives in Wuhan to contact DIRCO at 012 351 1754 and 012 351 1756, [e-mail] and [e-mail] #COVID19

#ZweliMkhize: The Repatriation Process is implemented in three phases namely Evacuation, Quarantine ad Re-unification. We are guided by the WHO guidelines and the relevant South African laws and policy framework.
#COVID19

#ZweliMkhize: There will be a Multi-Disciplinary Medical Team on-board the aircraft that will be responsible for pre- and inflight screening and medical care. #COVID19

#ZweliMkhize: All support staff coming into direct contact with the repatriates will also fall into the quarantine protocol #COVID19

#ZweliMkhize:
The nature of quarantine exercise is to isolate a group of COVID negative people who’ve been exposed to a high risk environment,remove them from that high risk environment,and then allow the incubation period to lapse before being integrated into society. #COVID19

#ZweliMkhize: There will be a perimeter line that will be guarded by the military. Within that perimeter the area will be declared a no entry zone and a no flight zone #COVID19

#ZweliMkhize: Those under quarantine will not be allowed to exit the perimeter but will be allowed to move freely within the perimeter, we will be discouraging group meetings. #COVID19

#ZweliMkhize: no family members, friends or associates of those under quarantine may visit the Zone.#COVID19

#ZweliMkhize: There will be a “no mans land” strip to accommodate the collection of goods whereby there is zero contact between the deliverers and the collectors.#COVID19

#ZweliMkhize: The entire quarantine period will be 21 days duration to allow for arrival and phased exit. #COVID19

#ZweliMkhize: Legal action will be taken against any individual that goes against the stipulated regulations in relation to quarantine #COVID19

#ZweliMkhize: Should someone develop symptoms they would be immediately isolated for further testing #COVID19

#ZweliMkhize:It is important to adhere and respect the processes as it’s not about you or a story, it is about the safety of all South Africans #COVID19

#ZweliMkhize: The final day of quarantine is denoted by all members testing negative for Coronavirus. The members would then be given the final counseling and then granted leave to depart #COVID19

#ZweliMkhize: Whilst it can never be possible to predict what will happen in South Africa if the virus were to be introduced to our territory, it is a useful exercise to survey the current global status and start to formulate projections that can help us guide public policy.

#ZweliMkhize: We are concerned that when we first reported this matter there were 4500 cases reported largely in China. Today the coronavirus has spread to 50 countries world wide with devastating consequences #COVID19

#ZweliMkhize: South Korea has rapidly rising COVID-19 cases. They have over 2000 cases and 13 deaths. The City of Daegu, 300km from Seoul, seems to be the epicenter. We do have South Africans in this area #COVID19

#ZweliMkhize: We understand that both Algeria and Nigeria have infections that have no history of travel to China- they seem to have originated from Italy. #COVID19

#ZweliMkhize: We have to get ready, as there is no country that has a formula to prevent the coronavirus from infecting its people #COVID19

#ZweliMkhize: Common experience suggests that once the test is negative there should be no possibility of transmitting the virus. There has not been any evidence of rapid mutation of the virus. #COVID19

The manner China has managed the outbreak has many lessons for the global community on what works and mistakes to avoid, as they have treated the highest number of patients with proven COVID-19. (Around 80 000) #COVID19

#ZweliMkhize: The people coming from Wuhan should be treated with dignity. #COVID19

#ZweliMkhize: We are making a plea to stop the dissemination of disinformation, fake news , etc. even before we have a first case there are reports that SA is not ready. We have the interest of all SA’ns at heart #COVID19