Health
Question by:
Hon Rachel Windvogel
Answered by:
Hon Nomafrench Mbombo
Question Number:
22
Question Body:
With regard to the spread of COVID-19 in the Western Cape between October 2020 and January 2021:
- What is the number of people in the province that have been infected by (a) the new variant 501Y.V2 and (b) older variants;
- (a) what is the risk of non-COVID-19-related corpses in mortuaries being infected with COVID-19 and (b) what measures are in place to prevent this from happening and to prevent the subsequent spread of COVID-19 at funerals?
Answer Body:
- Since only some people who are infected with SARS-CoV-2 are tested, it is not possible to report on the number of people who have been infected with the new variant. Amongst those who have been tested, it is not possible based on the tests in use to accurately differentiate the new variant from the previous variants. As of 13 February 2021, more than 139,050 new infections were recorded since the beginning of December, during which time we assume that most infections were due to the new variant. This is out of a combined total of 271,765 documented infections since the start of the epidemic in the province.
- The Department provided guidelines to health facilities, families, undertakers and communities relating to the safe management of a deceased who passed away because of either positive or suspected COVID-19. In addition, Forensic Pathology Service officials have been assisting and training undertaker services with the safe collection of the decedents. ‘Non-COVID’ decedents will not be infected by ‘COVID positive’ decedents as the spread is through droplets. The remains are handled ensuring that universal precautions are adhered to. The spread of COVID at funerals are as a result of those attending funerals not adhering to the necessary precautions.
Date:
Friday, February 12, 2021
