Three people were referred for testing during Thursday’s Covid-19 door-to-door screening campaign in Ward 4, in the Sobantu area in Galeshewe.
THREE people were referred for testing during Thursday’s Covid-19 door-to-door screening campaign in Ward 4, in the Sobantu area in Galeshewe.
The three people were tested at the National Health Laboratory Services’ (NHLS) mobile laboratory, which is one of six set up in the Northern Cape, and are now awaiting their results.
The door-to-door campaign was supported by Northern Cape Health MEC Mase Manopole.
At least 526 people were screened in the comfort of their homes during the course of the morning. Following the results of the screening, some were referred for testing.
Staff from the provincial Department of Health were accompanied by volunteers, including members of the Red Cross organisation in the Frances Baard District.
According to the department, the three people who were sent for testing had recently travelled to other areas in the country.
One person is a truck driver in KwaZulu-Natal, another recently attended a funeral in the North West and the third individual had travelled to Hartswater.
Department spokesperson Lebogang Majaha said the campaign was part of intensifying the screening of members of the public throughout the Province while communities are encouraged to stay at home.
He said continuous screening was also available at health facilities for those obtaining medical consultations.
The department noted during the door-to-door visits that more needed to be done in terms of education.
One of the health practitioners, who was part of the door-to-door team, pointed out that many people did not understand the difference between testing and screening.
“You still find those who have been referred for testing moving around without a mask. It would make a huge difference if people went into self-isolation for 14 days after travelling between provinces. Some understand the importance of adhering to the necessary hygiene measures but are lax in other areas,” she added.
She stated further that some people were also still ignoring social distancing regulations.
Community members welcomed the team into their homes, with some pointing out that they had also hoped to receive food parcels at the same time.
Sarah Vis, a resident living in Sobantu, said she was impressed by the government’s measures to reach more people. She was amongst those screened on Thursday and added that she had travelled to Pampierstad three weeks ago but had decided to self-isolate on her return and see whether she developed any flu-like symptoms.
“I did not have money to buy masks but I made some for my whole family of six using tips I found on social media,” she explained.
“I wish everyone would watch the videos of quarantined patients struggling to breathe. I would never put anyone through that out of ignorance.”
Another resident, Moses Rooibaatjie, also expressed his gratitude as his ashmatic mother was among those who were screened.
“We wanted to obtain more information on whether she needed to be tested. I was out when the delegation arrived but I heard the news that the MEC was here to screen my family. We now know the difference between screening and testing,” said a grateful Rooibaatjie.
