Media Release: Update on the Coronavirus by Premier Alan Winde

26 April 2020

As of 17h00 on 25 April, the Western Cape has recorded 1531 confirmed cases of COVID-19 infection. 

Sub Districts Cape Town Metro:

Sub Districts Non-Metro:

Unallocated: 34

Data notes:

*Going forward, the data will be reported as at 17h00 on the previous day, rather than at midnight in order to allow more time to prepare the daily reports. Cases reported in Khayelitsha (1), Breede Valley (3) and Drakenstein (2) yesterday have been reallocated based on updated address data.

The province has recorded two more deaths- a 53 year old man with significant comorbidities and a 76 year old man-bringing the total number of deaths to 32 in the province. We extend our condolences to their family and friends at this time.

Most of the people who have died in the province have been vulnerable, either because of their age, or because they had an underlying medical condition. The lockdown regulations are in place to protect you, but also to help save the lives of these vulnerable groups. Many people will contract COVID-19 in the province in the coming months and recover, but for the elderly and the sick, the risk of serious complications is much higher.

Kindness and compassion for those ill:

Anyone can contract COVID-19; it does not discriminate. We must remember that just like every other person who gets sick, those infected with Covid-19 deserve our love, kindness and compassion at all times.   

COVID-19 testing:

In the past 48 hours, we have conducted over 3000 tests in the province in line with our strategy to seek out pockets of infection in our communities, isolate those who are positive and trace their contacts. We follow an active case finding approach to testing and screening, where we follow the “bush fires” – pockets of infections within communities, and identify those who are infected with Covid-19 as quickly as possible. The screening process, based on this evidence, refers those who are symptomatic for testing.

Infection prevention:

As we move towards level 4 of lockdown, the risk of infection can increase as there will be more people moving around. We must make sure we are aware of this at all times: follow the golden rules of hygiene at all times when you leave the house, always keep a distance from others, and make sure that you wear a cloth mask. Wearing a cloth mask will become mandatory from 1 May, but we encourage you to already start wearing one already if you leave the house. Please remember to not touch your face when wearing a mask and to follow the golden rules of hygiene at all times when doing so.

Infections are most likely to happen where people congregate and come into close contact- in supermarkets, on public transport and in the workplace. We have met with the retail sector and have devised protocols which are aimed at keeping their staff and their customers safe.

Already, we have seen a number of retailers put innovative measures in place to ensure safety while shopping- these include protective screens in some stores, stickers or tape used to indicate social distancing while queuing, and special shopping hours for the elderly. 

Shoppers can play their part by ensuring that they do not go shopping if they feel sick or have flu-like symptoms, they cover their nose and mouth with a tissue or their elbow while coughing or sneezing and they wear clean, cloth masks while shopping. If someone stands too close to you, tell them kindly to keep their distance.

It is also best to only send only one family member to do the shopping and this person should be the healthiest person in the household.

Over the next week, Minister of Health, Nomafrench Mbombo will also undertake a roadshow at various supermarkets to highlight the importance of hand sanitizing, hygiene and social distancing.

Other businesses who intend to reopen on 1 May in line with the level 4 regulations, must devise infection prevention protocols which are applicable to their businesses to ensure that staff and clientele are not put at any additional risk.

Previous 

25 April 2020

As of 17h00 on 24 April, the Western Cape has recorded 1435 confirmed cases of COVID-19 infection.

Sub Districts Cape Town Metro: 

Sub Districts Non-Metro:

Unallocated: 25

Data notes:

*Going forward, the data will be reported as at 17h00 on the previous day, rather than at midnight in order to allow more time to prepare the daily reports.

The Western Cape has recorded two new deaths- a woman, aged 51 and a man, aged 30, both with comorbidities. We send our condolences to their loved ones during this difficult time.

In the last 24 hours, a further 1550 tests have been conducted in the Western Cape.

This testing is based on our active case finding approach, where we purposely follow the “bush fires” – the pockets of infections within communities, to ensure that every person who has been infected by Covid-19 is identified as quickly as possible. The screening identifies those who are symptomatic, and these residents are referred for testing.

Identifying every person infected by Covid-19, allows us to isolate patients, trace their contacts, and provide healthcare services where needed. International experience has shown us that this approach, combined with good hygiene measures and lockdown regulations are key in stopping the spread.

We are ramping up our rigorous screening and testing, in line with this approach and in accordance with international best practice.

It remains important to remember that the lockdown has not stopped Covid-19, and the peak is still to come with many people being infected by the virus. The situation is going to get more difficult, and it is up to all of us to ensure we flatten the curve and prevent our health system from being overwhelmed. This will help save many lives.

Level four lockdown:

Earlier today, national government made further announcements regarding level four restrictions which will come into effect on Friday, 1 May. Under these restrictions, certain sectors of our economy will be opened up. A night-time curfew has also been introduced between 8pm and 5am and cloth masks have been made mandatory for anyone leaving their homes. Residents are urged to abide by these new regulations which will allow us to limit the spread of the virus, while still allowing some activity to take place.

We welcome the announcement that cloth masks will be made mandatory for those who go out in public. I had made this request to the President during the last PCC meeting, and I am glad that this recommendation has been taken up. Wearing a cloth mask properly, and always following the golden rules of good hygiene when doing so, can help limit the spread of the virus.

We are also pleased that limited production and the sale of stationery, educational books and personal IT equipment such as computers and cell phones is now allowed, as these will allow for education, learning and home businesses to continue.

I am equally happy that children’s and winter clothing will be allowed for sale under level 4, but re-iterate the call that people should visit shops as infrequently as possible in order to reduce the risk of infection.  

Agriculture is a major contributor to the provincial economy so we welcome the further opening up of agricultural exports, as well as essential fishing operations and flower growers.

Greater responsibility on us all:

These new regulations place a lot of responsibility on employers and individuals. Businesses who intend to open from 1 May must ensure that when they do begin operating, they have all of the correct protocols in place- including heightened hygiene measures, and social distancing protocols to allow their staff to work safely.

As individuals, we all need to abide by these new regulations and adapt to this “new normal”. I know it is very difficult, and we all desperately want to see our friends and loved ones again. We have done so much already, and we must continue with our hard work going forward. I know, if we strengthen our resolve now to defeat this virus, we can stop the spread. We can do this.

And, we must not forget what we have learnt already: Hand washing regularly with soap, coughing and sneezing into a tissue or into the crook of the arm, keeping physical distance and wearing a cloth mask can all help to slow the rate of infection and to stop the spread.

Statement issued by Western Cape provincial government, 25 April 2020

Previous

24 April 2020 

As of 17h00 on 23 April, the Western Cape has recorded 1314 confirmed cases of COVID-19 infection.

Sub Districts Cape Town Metro: 

Sub Districts Non-Metro:

Unallocated: 15

Data notes:

*Going forward, the data will be reported as at 17h00 on the previous day, rather than at midnight in order to allow more time to prepare the daily reports.

A case previously allocated to the Matzikama sub-district has been reallocated.

The Western Cape is saddened to announce another three deaths in the province, bringing the total number of deaths to 28. They include a 76 year old woman, a 44 year old woman and a 31 year old man- all with significant comorbidities. We send our condolences to their families and loved ones at this time.

Rigorous screening and testing:

I understand that our residents are worried as they see the number of new laboratory confirmed Covid-19 cases grow rapidly in the Western Cape, but this is a natural result of our more rigorous testing approach. 

Our strategy is to do screening and testing even more rigorously. This is the best way to contain the virus and to flatten the curve.

We are going to face a very challenging time in the weeks and months to come. The lockdown has helped, but it has not stopped the virus. The peak is still to come, and many people will be infected by Covid-19.

That is why it is so important that every single one of us continue to play our part to flatten the curve. If we do this, we can prevent our health system from being overwhelmed, and we can save many lives.

A total of 150 847 people have been screened in the province this month- with 6006 sent for testing.

Our increased focus on screening and testing has helped us to respond to areas of risk as we identify them, and then quarantine or isolate people where necessary, as part of our prevention strategy.

Municipal assistance:

Today, we can announce that R16.2 million in additional funding has been allocated to municipalities in the province towards humanitarian relief. Our district and local municipalities are closest to the ground, and on a day to day basis, are delivering services to residents. They therefore have a good sense of where needs are greatest and this additional funding will help them to address some of the most immediate needs.

Minister of Local Government, and Environmental Affairs, Anton Bredell said: “The Provincial Department of Local Government has allocated additional funding of R16.2 million to various municipalities in the Western Cape with a focus on those municipalities most at need. The R16.2 million has been reallocated from existing budgets and is going to support municipalities in the Western Cape with humanitarian relief for the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Municipalities are already providing much needed relief in various forms, including soup kitchens, homeless shelters and food parcels. This allocation will assist them in continuing to do so. The funds have been transferred directly to the municipal accounts,” Minister Bredell said.

Statement issued by Western Cape provincial government, 24 April 2020