I ascribe this reduction in the rate of increase due to: closing the borders, enforcing quarantine on inbound travelers, lockdown has slowed internal transmission by reducing the spread during large gatherings and overcrowded transport routes eg Trains, buses and taxis 
Those people who might have mild symptoms in poorer areas may not seek assistance immediately. Our testing criteria is reactive and restrictive. This means we don’t have a true picture. Although we are talking about 45000 tests, this is too low, given the size of the population.
We need to engage all community leaders. Spread the message of stay at home and the importance of hygiene must be made more emphatically
Those on ARV’s and chronic treatment need to stick to their regimen.
Next month the flu season will start and these will flood our hospitals and clinics. This small growth in numbers means we maybe currently experiencing the calm before the sto. There may not be many warnings before the pounding descends
We need every plan to be put in place. My plea to the colleagues was no1 setting of the mobile units to be set up. These vehicles must go to where we have already identified as hotspots. People who are symptomatic must be tested first
We need each person to make it a personal fight to save our nation.
Rapid test kits will allow us to test and get results quickly
-these tests will come soon
-these tests will come soon
We need experienced professionals on the ground, who will take decsions quickly
We have approached Presidency to get other countries such as China and Cuba to assist. Cuba- Their community and district health model works when reaching out to many communities to ensure good cover.
We will be encouraging all the clinics and hospitals to update daily. All treatment and PPE’s we are asking that the departments of the various provinces must try to procure.
All clinics and hospitals will be asked to provide a daily tally. This will help us ensure we have enough stock of all the resources we need
We are saying to everyone, that they need to move at a faster pace. We plan for the worst even though we hope for the best. It’s important to remain focused and be courageous
The message by President Ramaphosa for people to stay at home is very important, the message of washing your hands is important, the message of good hygiene is important.
This disease affects us all, Black, White, Rich or Poor. We need to be united as a nation and focused when addressing this issue. Not that we should panic, but we must not be complacent
Look at China & South Korea, & the US. It is the conduct of the community that matters. Take this seriously. Don’t panic. Go out for essentials only.
Many countries have used the PCR. Many have used rapid test kits, to good effect. We are evaluating the latter. Combination of testing does not exist in any part of the world. We want to create that.
There are things we need to decide earlier on. Amongst those are to reduce academic debates. On what has been proven, we must start implementing. There is no perfect plan in a battle. To try and reach out to as many people as possible to test them
Early testing and early identification and early isolation is an important issue. Transparency and sharing of information is very important. For the community to be able to fight this. They need to be armed with facts. We will only fight this with FACTS , not FAKE NEWS
On Friday we will have meeting with experts, clinicians and MEC’s as well as a video conference with experts from China.
We are not making an exaggeration when we say the calm before the storm. We are saying if you let go of these conditions and when you see the flu season coming, it may change this. The issue is , we must not be complacent
Just remember the virus has no boundaries. It doesn’t mean if you’ve dealt with it now there won’t be another wave. Just look at China
We will do everything to ensure our health workers are protected. We must also work together with community leaders and groups to protect our communities from any criminals or charlatans.
We are in touch with SADAC Ministers - as we speak here today, the NICD is a reference for all AFRICAN countries
There are certain precautions to take when wearing a mask. We are trying to help and improve the situation. We are assisting where we can. People must try to ensure good social distance however this isn’t always possible so a mask can be worn in this instance
Those who aren’t able to self-isolate we will try to assist by moving them elsewhere.
We are not in a position to update on the deaths at the moment. We will update at the next briefing
Right now we don’t have a crisis. So we are preparing and focusing on what might go wrong. Whilst looking into the future we must not confuse you into thinking that the worst is actually going to happen. We need to have a balance
We are forward planning,in order to be prepared rather than not having a plan in place
There’s a team currently working on the model. In terms of the those figures they would’ve anticipated as at 02 April we could be around 4000-6000, but if there was no lockdown the number would’ve been higher. You see it is early days so the model is bound to be distorted
