We must focus of contact tracing, 44042 contacts have been identified through tracing. To date 93% of contacts have been monitored in South Africa.
The number of hospitalised patients is highest in the Western Cape. We are going to see more hospitilisation in all the provinces. We have quarantine sites planned in all provinces, so those with mild symptoms can be placed here.
The Cuban reinforcement team has been deployed in all provinces. The military brigade will also be deployed to assist.
We need to make sure there are stringent measures according to each district. We are asking for vigilence and close monitoring in areas identified as hotspots. There must be containment measures for people with co-morbidities.
A district level alert system will help to monitor those who need to practice extra caution. Emerging hot spots must be watched vigilantly. We must focus on the emergence of new infections.
Behavioural changes remain significant.Handwashing, social distancing and wearing masks remain standard measures to contain the spread of the infection.Areas for vigilance have been identified.
Teams of experts will work in hotspots to make sure they look after the health of individuals in those areas. Experts will concentrate on a very small catchment area. They will try and keep as many people away from hospitals by getting them treated by teams of GPs and nurses.
If combined action in hotspots does not work to contain the spread of infection, we will then consider lockdown of the area.
We have good cooperation across the provinces. Each hotspot must have its own team of experts.Field hospitals are important. They will ensure people with mild symptoms are in quarantine and prevent the spread of the infection.
We may introduce additional measures in hotspots to contain the spread of the virus.
Routine health services should be fully opened and run full services with attention to catch up on childhood immunisation, contraceptive services, antenatal care, diagnosis and care for HIV.
The unity of South Africans and respecting the guidelines are going to be important now in our fight against #Covid_19
Anyone is welcome to express their views, but if there are inaccuracies in what they say, that must be corrected. This is a major challenge for South Africa. There is no need to politicise it or grand stand it.
The purpose of creating “hotspots” is to be able to take all the measures that are necessary to control the rise of infections. Every sub district in each metro in the Western Cape that has been identified will have wall to wall surveillance by experts.
It is important to raise understanding of what protocols need to be in place in schools. Every child must wear a cloth mask, which can be made at home.
