Health
On 18 May 2020, Dr M Moodley, Head of the Western Cape Department of Health, sent the members of the Ad-hoc Committee on COVID-19 a document titled “Questions stemming from the Ad hoc Committee meeting on 22 April 2020”. This document indicates that the Western Cape had “traced” 11 181 contacts and had isolated 11 181. Can the Minister confirm:
1. (a) Whether this was the total number of contacts traced or (b) the total number of contacts identified for tracing and (c) at what date;
2. how does her Department account for this 100% isolation of the number of contacts traced;
3. what is the current situation with contact identification and tracing regarding the (a) current number of positive cases, (b) number of contacts identified for tracing, (c) number of identified contacts reached and (d) number of contacts in isolation?
1. This was an erroneous number. It did not include the data from the multiple systems doing contact tracing. In subsequent reports, this number has been corrected. Additionally, Dr Moodley is not the Head of the Western Cape Department of Health.
2. A case or a contact may isolate/quarantine in their own home. The vast majority of cases or contacts that we call, prefer to isolate/quarantine in their own homes. This is accepted by the National Institute of Communicable Diseases provided that certain conditions are met. When we call a case or a contact, we instruct them to isolate/quarantine. If they cannot isolate/quarantine in their own homes, they are offered free, state isolation/quarantine facilities.
3. As at 7 July 2020: total cases 71 272, recoveries 52157
From 22 June to 29 June 2020, there was an increase in new COVID infections of 10 827
Total cases and contacts traced from 22 June to 29 June 2020
Estimated – 30 000
As explained in question 2, all contacts traced are quarantined either at home or in a state facility
