Update on the coronavirus by Premier Alan Winde

5 July 2020

As of 1pm on 5 July, the Western Cape has 16 293 active cases of COVID-19, with a total of 68 273 confirmed cases and 49 928  recoveries.

Sub Districts Cape Town Metro:

Sub-districts:

Unallocated: 9243 (4226  recovered)

Data note:  As the province moves closer to the peak and the Department of Health is recording over 1000 new cases daily, it is not possible to check and verify that the address data supplied for each new case is correct, within the time frames required to provide regular and timely updates. This means that in some instances, cases could be allocated to the wrong sub-districts. We are working with the sub-districts to clean and verify the data and where errors are picked up locally, cases will be re-allocated to the correct areas. 

More data is available here: https://coronavirus.westerncape.gov.za/covid-19-dashboard

The Western Cape has recorded an additional 38 deaths, bringing the total number of COVID-19 related deaths in the province to 2052. We send our condolences to their loved ones at this time.

Recoveries and hospitalisations:

A total of 73% of people who have contracted COVID-19 in the province have recovered. Most people who contract this illness will only experience mild symptoms and will be able to recover at home without any complications. So far, almost 50 000 people in the Western Cape have been able to beat COVID-19 and recover.

However, those who are over 55 years old, and those with underlying health conditions such as diabetes and hypertension are more likely to become seriously ill, require hospitalisation or die, which is why we should all be doing our part to slow the spread of the virus and help to save lives.  Our data shows that almost half of all COVID-19 positive people in the province with diabetes have required hospitalisation, and of those hospitalised, 45% have died. 

The province has worked hard to ensure that for those who do need to be hospitalised, adequate care is available. These steps include:

-Reorganising how we deliver healthcare service and decongesting healthcare facilities and hospitals in order to focus on COVID-19 patients.

-Creating additional intermediate care hospital beds at the already functional CTICC Hospital of Hope, the MSF Thusong facility in Khayelitsha and at the Brackengate and Sonstraal facilities which will be opening soon. 

-These beds have already allowed us to create space in our acute hospitals, by admitting patients from across the metro's acute hospitals and will play an important role in offering care during the peak.

-Finalised service level agreements with the private sector for critical care, with the first patients already referred to private hospitals.

-The province has implemented high flow nasal oxygen treatment, which allows us to deliver lifesaving care without the need for an ICU bed or a ventilator. 121 machines are currently available to deliver this treatment, with 43 more on order.

-We have introduced the protocols for the use of steroids, which international research has shown to have positive impacts on the mortality rates of patients who require oxygen or ventilation.

-We have introduced a special focus for COVID-19 positive patients with diabetes in order to further protect this vulnerable group.

What you can do to protect yourself and your loved ones:

We have worked hard to put measures in place to strengthen our healthcare systems but we cannot fight this pandemic alone. Your behaviour can impact how we are able to respond:

-Stay home as much as possible and avoid gatherings of people. The province has not yet reached its peak, and we still need to stay home as much as possible, especially if you fall into one of the high risk groups or have an elderly or at risk person living with you. 

-Wash or sanitize your hands regularly, and clean and sanitize work spaces, and surfaces that you regularly come into contact with.

-Always wear your mask when you are outside of your home.

-Keep a distance of 1.5 metres between you and any other person, even if you are wearing a mask.

-If you feel ill, stay at home.

-If you experience symptoms, assume that you have COVID-19, and ensure that you quarantine yourself from other people living in your home.

-If you experience shortness of breath, seek immediate medical assistance.

-If you are not able to self-isolate or self-quarantine, call the Western Cape hotline on 021 928 4102 and you will be placed in one of our comfortable facilities to protect your loved ones.

By protecting yourself, you are able to protect your loved ones. By staying safe, you are helping to save lives.

Previous:

Update on the coronavirus by Premier Alan Winde

4 July 2020

As of 1pm on 4 July, the Western Cape has 15 957 active cases of COVID-19, with a total of 67351 confirmed cases and 49 362  recoveries.

Sub Districts Cape Town Metro:

Sub-districts:

Unallocated: 8403 (4151 recovered)

Data note:  As the province moves closer to the peak and the Department of Health is recording over 1000 new cases daily, it is not possible to check and verify that the address data supplied for each new case is correct, within the time frames required to provide regular and timely updates. This means that in some instances, cases could be allocated to the wrong sub-districts. We are working with the sub-districts to clean and verify the data and where errors are picked up locally, cases will be re-allocated to the correct areas. 

More data is available here: https://coronavirus.westerncape.gov.za/covid-19-dashboard

The Western Cape has recorded an additional 45 deaths, bringing the total number of COVID-19 related deaths in the province to 2014. We send our condolences to their loved ones at this time.

Today marks the 100th day since South Africa went in to lockdown to slow the spread of the Coronavirus. Details of what the Western Cape has done to prepare over the past 100 days can be found here: https://coronavirus.westerncape.gov.za/news/statement-premier-alan-winde-100-days-lockdown-how-western-cape-has-responded

Previous:

Update on the coronavirus by Premier Alan Winde

3 July 2020

As of 1pm on 3 July, the Western Cape has 16 302 active cases of COVID-19, with a total of 66 195 confirmed cases and 47 924 recoveries.

Sub Districts Cape Town Metro:

Sub-districts:

Unallocated: 7351 (3910 recovered)

Data note:  As the province moves closer to the peak and the Department of Health is recording over 1000 new cases daily, it is not possible to check and verify that the address data supplied for each new case is correct, within the time frames required to provide regular and timely updates. This means that in some instances, cases could be allocated to the wrong sub-districts. We are working with the sub-districts to clean and verify the data and where errors are picked up locally, cases will be re-allocated to the correct areas. 

More data is available here: https://coronavirus.westerncape.gov.za/covid-19-dashboard

The Western Cape has recorded an additional 51 deaths, bringing the total number of COVID-19 related deaths in the province to 1969. We send our condolences to their loved ones at this time.

Stormers rugby players help out at Brackengate:

Today, the Stormers rugby team spent the day at the Brackengate temporary hospital helping to put the finishing touches on the hospital. The team helped to move in beds and furniture, set up and make the beds and offload trucks delivering items for the facility (see pictures attached).

The team who has worked to set up this 338 bed site has worked around the clock to ensure that it is ready in time, and the assistance by the Stormer’s today was valued and appreciated. I know that the visit and the interaction with the players was also a special opportunity for some of the people who have put in long hours in ensuring that this facility is able to start offering care next week.

I would like to thank the team not only for the work that they’ve done today, but for being out in communities, and helping to spread awareness around COVID-19. This team means so much to so many people in the Western Cape land seeing them wearing masks, helping others and taking steps to protect themselves and their loved ones, sets such a wonderful example.

Previous:

Update on the coronavirus by Premier Alan Winde

2 July 2020

As of 1pm on 2 July 2020, the Western Cape has 16 722 active cases of COVID-19, with a total of 65 155 confirmed cases and 46 515 recoveries.

The Western Cape has recorded an additional 59 deaths, bringing the total number of COVID-19 related deaths in the province to 1918. We send our condolences to their loved ones at this time.

We have experienced some technical difficulties with our data dashboard which has impacted the sub-district data. We are working on correcting this issue and will not be sharing this data today so that the root causes can be addressed.

Earlier today, I held a digicon in which we provided an epidemic update which anticipates that our peak will likely be flatter, later and last longer than previously predicted. More information can be found in the media release here: https://coronavirus.westerncape.gov.za/news/premier-alan-winde-western-cape-peak-likely-be-flatter-later-and-longer

Issued by the Office of the Western Cape Premier, 2 – 5 July 2020