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Possible Covid-19 hotspots identified in Northern Cape

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Hantam and Nama Khoi local municipalities have been identified as potential Covid-19 hotspots in the Namakwa district.

HANTAM and Nama Khoi local municipalities have been identified as potential Covid-19 hotspots in the Namakwa district.

As of January 24, there were 175 new confirmed cases and two additional Covid-19 related deaths reported in the past 72 hours in the province. This brings the total number of deaths to 546.

The Namakwa district accounted for the highest number of cases at 48, followed by 47 cases in the Frances Baard district, 44 in the ZF Mgcawu district, 25 cases in Pixley ka Seme and nine cases in the John Taolo Gaetsewe district. Two cases are unallocated.

The Minister of Health Dr Zweli Mhkize said the total number of positive cases in the Northern Cape now stood at 30 960.

The number of total active cases stands at 4 576 in the Province while a total of 25 836 or 84 percent of patients have recovered.

The MEC for the Department of Health Maruping Lekwene said on Monday that there were 3 065 cases in the Namakwa district with 1 149 (40 percent) recovery rate.

“This leaves the district with 1 899 active cases.”

He pointed out that although the state of health care in the Namakwa district was “not quite palatable” all health facilities currently had enough oxygen capacity and sufficient bed capacity.

“We will closely monitor the administration oxygen project to urgently increase the available reserves of oxygen resources.

“The number of available beds still exceeds the current bed occupancy at Namakwa health facilities. The recent allocation of six ambulances, 11 clinical outreach bakkies, new medical equipment that was delivered at hospitals and health facilities in the Namakwa district has made a positive impact on the delivery of health services to communities.”

Lekwene was satisfied with the levels of personal protective equipment (PPE) stock levels.

“We will increase capacity in preparing for future eventualities.”

He believed that the filling of 56 clinical posts including doctors, nurses and allied health personnel had assisted in bringing stability to many facilities in the Namakwa district.

“This is part of the 424 clinical appointments announced since Christmas.

“We will continue to monitor and support the Namakwa district and conduct further oversight visits to other districts across the Province to strengthen health service delivery.”

Meanwhile the John Taolo Gaetsewe health district reported that phase one preparations for the Covid-19 vaccine (AstraZeneca) had started where training of district based vaccinators commenced on January 20.

The district indicated that a newly erected 50 bed structure with a bulk oxygen tank container had been installed at Kuruman hospital for Covid-19 patients.

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