Health
- Whether she can provide a detailed breakdown by regions and towns of the Covid-19 infections in the province as at the latest available data; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
- whether local clinics, inside and outside of the City of Cape Town, have been afforded testing capacity to help local residents; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
- whether any measures have been put in place to provide leave and manage the pressure on health professionals and their families during this time, especially for women with underage children; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
- whether any measures are in place to protect healthcare workers at both public and private hospitals from getting infected by the Covid-19 virus, including the provision of protective gear and periodic testing; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
We can provide data at sub-district level, but the Department has details at lower levels, but only for people that will use these for planning and modelling purposes, and signing an agreement with us that it be used in a way that does not compromise patient confidentiality.
- As at 00h01 on 07 April 2020, the Western Cape had recorded 490 Covid-19 infections.
Sub Districts Cape Town Metro:
Sub-district | Cases |
Western | 153 |
Southern | 123 |
Northern | 25 |
Tygerberg | 36 |
Eastern | 19 |
Klipfontein | 21 |
Mitchells Plain | 7 |
Khayelitsha | 5 |
Total | 389 |
Sub Districts Non-Metro:
District | Sub-district | Cases |
Garden Route | Bitou | 5 |
Garden Route | Knysna | 13 |
Garden Route | George | 13 |
Garden Route | Hessequa | 5 |
Garden Route | Mossel Bay | 16 |
Garden Route | Oudtshoorn | 2 |
Cape Winelands | Stellenbosch | 16 |
Cape Winelands | Drakenstein | 6 |
Cape Winelands | Breede Valley | 5 |
Cape Winelands | Langeberg | 1 |
Overberg | Overstrand | 9 |
Overberg | Theewaterskloof | 1 |
West Coast | Saldanha Bay Municipality | 2 |
West Coast | Swartland | 2 |
Unallocated: 5
- Testing in the Western Cape is being done at both public and private facilities- reporting the numbers back to national and the NICD. There are three dedicated centres for screening in Western Cape: Groote Schuur, Tygerberg and Victoria hospital. These centres have larger and dedicated “screening” areas where only COVID patients are screened and swabbed. Patients are asked to call the Provincial or National Hotline to co-determine their likelihood of having COVID-19. Once they are advised to present for further assessment, they will also be advised where to go, depending on their location. We also have plans in place for an additional 15 more test sites. We've also developed a self-screening online tool, which helps concerned people determine whether they should go for testing, helping to reduce the burden on our facilities.
Testing sites have been set-up to support each of the areas, inside and outside of the health facilities. Some facilities such as Eerste River Hospital have also, where possible, initiated drive-through testing.
The nationwide community screenings commenced over the weekend of 4 April in seven areas with the process being rolled out to other vulnerable areas as well.
- The Department issued Circular H27/2020 which provides guidance on People Management matters in relation to COVID-19. The circular gives guidance on extraordinary measures around flexi working arrangements. The Department of the Premier also issued Advisory note 11 of 2020 addressing frequently asked questions by staff, which includes making provision for alternative workplace or working from home during the lockdown.
- The Department developed Guidelines for both Public and Private sectors on the use of personal protective equipment to protect staff and clients against exposure to the coronavirus. Staff in each department may be placed in a different risk situation, so the recommendations are designed to ensure that the most appropriate and effective PPE is used in each situation. PPE is however only used when staff are in direct contact with someone who has tested positive for coronavirus and therefore has developed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), or someone who is suspected of having coronavirus infection.
