Media Release: Garden Route Health Platform Update on 29 June 2020

For Immediate Release
29 June 2020

GARDEN ROUTE HEALTH PLATFORM UPDATE

As Covid-19 cases are increasing in the Garden Route, we should all do our part and adhere to the 5 Golden Rules:

• Keep 1,5 meters away from others (social distancing) and wear a cloth mask when you go out
• Wash your hand often with water and soap or handsanitiser
• Do not touch your face
• Cough and sneeze in the fold of your arm or in a tissue
• Stay home when sick

Garden Route cases and recoveries per subdistrict.

Bitou 55 cases; 18 recoveries
Knysna 142 cases; 89 recoveries
George 460 cases; 168 recoveries
Hessequa 20 cases; 17 recoveries
Kannaland 5 cases; 3 recoveries
Mossel Bay 175 cases; 68 recoveries
Oudsthoorn 58 cases; 23 recoveries

The Garden Route has recorded 20 Covid-19 deaths.

Hessequa 1
Mossel Bay 2
George 12
Knysna 4
Bitou 1

Hospitalisation

There are currently 44 patients admitted in public and private hospitals with 5 in ICU.

Community Testing and Screening

The approach to active Covid-19 case finding within the rural areas remain that of community testing and screening with a focus on people > 55 years, the vulnerable and those of high risk (people with co-morbidities). To date 121 095 people have been screened and 635 referred for testing.

Isolation and quarantine

Isolation facilities are for patients with mild to moderate symptoms where they can recover from Covid-19 (usually 14 days) and quarantine facilities are for those awaiting test results. These facilities are safe and comfortable and you will receive free transport, meals, and a laundry service. People who cannot isolate or quarantine safely at home, can be referred to a isolation or quarantine facility.

PetroSA (West Camp) is currently the only activated isolation and quarantine facility in the Garden Route. More facilities will be announced, if and when the need arises or capacity is exceeded at PetroSA. We currently have 53 people in isolation.

What should I bring with me to a quarantine or isolation facility?

Favourite snack or treats, clothes and pyjamas, toothbrush, toothpaste and other toiletries, towels, face cloths and soap. A phone charger if you have a phone, chronic medication something that reminds you of your loved ones e.g family photo, books magazines or crafts.

What can I expect?

• Transport to and from the facility
• A room and access to a bathroom
• Regular meals
• To monitor and report your symptoms
• To stay in touch with your loved ones using your own phone
• To clean your own room
• Laundry facility
• Rules to protect other guests and staff e.g. not leaving your room
• No visitors will be allowed
• No alcohol or drugs will be allowed
• Advice from your health and social worker on returning home

Primary healthcare

Although we urge patients to only visit their nearest clinic for essential services we remind parents and caregivers that services such as immunisations are still rendered. It is important to attend all your confirmed appointments. Services such as women’s health(family planning, antenatal and post-natal care), child health(immunisations) and TB, are still rendered. Stable chronic care patients must collect their chronic medicine at the chronic off-sites. “should you require guidance or advice around your current treatment or scheduled appointment, please contact your clinic/hospital.
-END-

Nadia Ferreira
Principal Communications Officer
Garden Route and Central Karoo Districts
Western Cape Government Health
Town Clinic, Plettenberg Bay
Tel: 044 5333846

Picture credit: iStock.com/ra2studio