Media Release: Update on the coronavirus by Premier Alan Winde

6 June 2020

As of 1pm on 6 June, the Western Cape has 11071 active cases of COVID-19, with a total of  29 136 confirmed cases and 17366 recoveries.

Sub Districts Cape Town Metro:

Sub-districts:

Unallocated: 1892 (562 recovered)

More data, including updated suburb level data as at June 1, is available here: https://coronavirus.westerncape.gov.za/covid-19-dashboard

The Western Cape has recorded an additional 15 COVID-19 deaths-bringing the total number of deaths from the virus in the province to 699. We send our condolences to their families and friends.

Healthcare workers:

The Western Cape Government is working hard to prepare additional beds in the hospital system to ensure that there will be enough space in hospitals at the peak of the virus, which is anticipated at the end of June or beginning of July. These additional beds will also require additional staff in order to care for our residents.

The Western Cape Department of Health is currently conducting a recruitment drive for healthcare professionals such as doctors and nurses, to take up temporary posts during the COVID-19 period. Qualified healthcare professionals who are interested in taking up temporary employment during the peak, can find more information on the work, and the application processes here: https://coronavirus.westerncape.gov.za/covid-19-recruitment-drive

Not everyone will be deployed to the frontline. Depending on your age and risk profile, you may be deployed to low risk areas, to call centres or to support with telephonic consultations.

I encourage all of those who are interested in these temporary, paid posts, to apply and help us to save lives.

I would also like to thank all of those healthcare workers, including nurses, doctors, specialists, technicians, porters, cleaners and all of the other support and clerical staff currently working in the province for the work that they are doing. You are all heroes.

Recoveries:

The Western Cape has now recorded 17366 recoveries- representing 60 percent of all cases to date. The province currently has 11 071 active cases. In some of our hotspot areas, the recovery rates have been even higher than the provincial average. In Tygerberg, which has the highest number of cases in the province, 68 percent of all cases have recovered so far. In Khayelitsha, 69% of all cases so far have resulted in recoveries and in Witzenberg where our hotspot plan was first introduced, the recovery rate currently stands at almost 80%.

Advice for home-based recovery:

Most people will recover from COVID-19 and experience only mild symptoms. The province’s new risk adjusted testing strategy means that healthy people under 55 will not be able to be tested in the metro region.

The following groups of people who are experiencing symptoms will be tested: healthcare workers, those over the age of 55, those in hospitals or in old aged homes, those under the age of 55 with comorbidities including diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, cancer, TB, chronic lung disease and HIV with poor ARV adherence.

This strategy is in place because of the national backlog in testing and will prioritise those groups of people who are at higher risk of becoming seriously ill or dying. This system will ensure that those who need testing most are prioritised over young, healthy individuals.

If you are experiencing symptoms such as a fever, a sore throat, or a cough, and are young, fit and healthy, you should act as if you have COVID-19. 

If you are able to self-isolate at home, you will need to move to a separate room or area of the house, where you have no contact with anyone else.

If you live with other people, one healthy person can act as your caregiver. This person should leave food for you at the door of your room, and regularly clean surfaces.

Use a dedicated set of items such as cups, plates, cutlery and towels for yourself. Dispose of any waste carefully by placing it in two bags and keeping it separately for five days before putting out for collection. Ensure you wash your clothing, towels and cloth masks at a high heat.

You should not leave your home, and should rest, drink lots of fluids, eat healthily and use paracetamol for fever or pain.

If you are unable to do this at home, you will be referred to an isolation or quarantine facility where you will be able to safely complete the isolation period.

If at any stage of your illness, you experience shortness of breath or pain or a sensation of pressure in your chest, you should contact your doctor or healthcare provider immediately.

The National Institute of Communicable Diseases considers a person recovered 14 days after first symptoms are experienced, or 14 days from discharge from hospital for those who have been discharged. It is essential that if you are recovering at home, this 14 day period is observed.

Issued by Western Cape Office of the Premier, 6 June 2020