With 13 confirmed positive cases of Covid-19 in the Northern Cape, the MEC of Health, Mase Manopole, has called for calm among residents in the Province.
WITH 13 confirmed positive cases of Covid-19 in the Northern Cape, the MEC of Health, Mase Manopole, has called for calm among residents in the Province.
According to the department, nine positive Covid-19 cases are in the Frances Baard District, one in Pixley Ka Seme, one in ZF Mgcawu District and two in Namaqua.
Manopole said no deaths have been recorded in the province and two patients have recovered fully and are no longer infectious.
She said she would be visiting the John Taolo Gaetsewe district as part of a mass screening campaign.
“We appreciate the swift response of the District Outreach Teams for successfully tracing the immediate contacts of those who tested positive. The District Outreach Teams have embarked on rigorous door-to-door screening campaigns in communities and these will continue for the entire duration of the lockdown.
“Since Monday to date, over 1 600 people have been screened for Covid-19 in the Phokwane Municipality, as this is the epicenter, with eight confirmed positive cases.”
The department has also conducted door-to-door visits in the JTG district, as part of rolling out the campaign to motivate the workforce on the ground as well as hand over sanitisers to families.
Manopole said further that although there was a national shortage in flu vaccines, the province had sufficient supply as the winter approaches.
“Despite the limited number of flu vaccines in the country, the Northern Cape has sufficient stock in place to administer to the elderly, those with illnesses and health staff.”
She added that the provincial health department welcomed the announcement by the naitonal minister that South Africa will participate in a Public Health Emergency Solidarity Trial that has been initiated by the the World Health Organization (WHO) to conduct clinical trials to find effective treatment for Covid-19. “Having a vaccine will be a great benefit to all people,” Manopole said.
She urged residents to continue heeding the call of President Cyril Ramaphosa to stay at home and exercise precautionary measures, including the washing of hands for a minimum of 20 seconds.
