For immediate release
1 December 2021

Media Release: Health Platform Update – 1 December 2021

The Garden Route District recorded 74 additional cases of COVID-19 in the previous 7 days (data until 30 Nov).  There are now 15 active cases per 100 000 (one week ago it was 10). Most sub-districts had an increase in the active cases per 100 000 population.  The Western Cape Government remains on high alert following the announcement of a new variant, Omicron.

The district has plans in place for the fourth wave of COVID-19 infections, based on learnings form the first three waves.  ‘As with previous waves, our hospitals are currently preparing for a possible increase in COVID-19 admissions’, said District Director for Health, Mr Zee Brickles. This includes staffing arrangements, oxygen contingency plans, decommissioning of wards when needed make space for COVID-19 patients and more.

George Hospital is also gearing up for the fourth wave by ordering sufficient stock of necessary consumables / Personal Protective Equipment,  significant upgrade of the hospital’s oxygen system to treat patients with high-flow nasal oxygen in general ward beds, recruiting additional contract nurses to allow for escalation of services, trying to maximize elective surgery during the current inter-wave period due to lost capacity in previous waves and expected reduction in 4^th wave and encouraging staff and patient vaccinations and  booster injections.

VACCINATION IS KEY

Scientists agree that vaccination remains the most effective tool we have to save lives and that this is even more important now with the discovery of a possibly more transmissible variant.

We encourage our residents to take up this opportunity as soon as possible especially if you are over 50 years old, or if you have comorbidities.

Vaccinations in the Garden Route stands at 66% for the population over 18 years who are fully vaccinated and 42% for the population who have received at least one dose vaccine.

The total vaccinations administered to date stands at 350 194.

VACCINATION OF IMMUNOCOMPROMISED ADULTS

As from 1 December 2021, the following groups of adults 18 and older will be eligible to receive an additional dose of COVID-19 vaccine as part of their primary vaccine schedule:

 Individuals with the following conditions:

Haematological or immune malignancy

Moderate to Severe Primary immunodeficiency disorder

HIV infection with CD4 count < 200 cells/μL within the last 6 months

Asplenia

Individuals receiving the following treatments:

High dose steroids or systemic biologics (e.g. for autoimmune conditions)

Long term renal dialysis

Transplant recipients (Solid organ or bone marrow)

VOOMA VACCINATION WEEK

Vooma Week 3-10 December

The third  Vooma vaccination campaign kicks off on Friday 3 December 2021.

Vooma Vouchers for 50+!

The Vooma Voucher has been increased to R200 for those who vaccinate for the first time during Nov/Dec to spend at Shoprite, Checkers or Usave.

Lucky Draw– R1,000! R10,000! R100,000!

The lucky draw has been launched to encourage people in South Africa aged 12 and older to come forward for Covid-19 vaccination.

Everyone who has been vaccinated this year is automatically entered into the five weekly draws. Everyone who has been vaccinated this year is automatically entered into the five weekly draws. That is

if they have been vaccinated by the date of specific draws and by no later than the 31st of December 2021. Their details need to have been captured on the EVDS systemin time for each draw or, in the case

of the final draw, by 25 January 2022.

 Garden Route Vooma sites 4 & 5 December:

Please call 0860 142 142 for more information on weekly sites or visit our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/WCGHealth/

Also watch local media and municipal pages for details

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Nadia Ferreira
Principal Communications Officer
Garden Route and Central Karoo Districts
Western Cape Government Health
Tel: 044 813 1831
Email: Nadia.Ferreira@westerncape.gov.za
Website: www.westerncape.gov.za

Media Release: Health Platform Update

For immediate release

23 November 2021

December is within arms reach and with it comes year end celebrations and farewells. The latest Covid-19 statistics for the Garden Route shows an increase of 34 cases the past 7 days compared to 7 to 14 days ago. The district currently has 62 active cases.  ‘Although these numbers are still small, we must stay vigilant. In order to mitigate a possible fourth wave, we need to get as many people vaccinated as possible, especially those older than 50 years and those with co-morbidities’, said District Director, Mr Zee Brickles.

Petronella Williams from Plettenberg Bay and her two daughters received their vaccination. ‘ We had to think of Ashley(12) first who has type 1 diabetes. We also want to keep ourselves safe as well as friends and family with comorbidities’, she said.

Vaccination teams in the district are actively busy with outreaches to outlying area, businesses, education institutions, etc.

To date, 345 313 vaccines have been administered in the Garden Route District.

The Garden Route District is showing a small increase in the number of people older than 50 that have been vaccinated. 65% of those 50 years and older have been fully vaccinated.

There has been a one percentage point increase since the previous week for the population over 18 years who have received at least one dose vaccine, and stands at 51%. The percentage of the total Garden Route population who have received at least one dose vaccine stands at 35%. (1 percentage point increase from the previous week).

The Department appeals to all residents, especially those 50 years and older to get their vaccines and to avoid putting it off ahead of summer. Prioritising your vaccine can protect your health and your family’s.

Caption: Petronella with Ashley (type 1 diabetic) and Kiamesha.

END

Nadia Ferreira

Principal Communications Officer

Garden Route and Central Karoo Districts

Western Cape Government Health

Email: Nadia.Ferreira@westerncape.gov.za

Website: www.westerncape.gov.za

Media Release: Pregnant women and vaccination

For Immediate Release
2 November 2021

Pregnancy can be a challenging time for many women. Even more so, during a pandemic.

Mothers must think not only about their own health and safety but also that of their unborn baby and how to best protect their child(ren).  Data shows that COVID-19 is more dangerous in pregnant women, especially towards the end of pregnancy. Pregnant women who are older or are living with hypertension, diabetes, obesity, TB or untreated HIV are especially at risk.

According to the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists(UK), stillbirth and preterm deliveries are higher in COVID-19 positive patients.

“Since March 2020, George Hospital has seen an increase in pregnant women with COVID-19 pneumonia. The vaccination protects you, your unborn baby, your family and your community from the effects of the virus”, said Dr Carl Firmin, Head of Clinical Unit: Obstetrics & Gynaecology at George Hospital.

Pregnant and breastfeeding women are receiving COVID-19 vaccinations throughout the world.  You can have the vaccine at any stage of your pregnancy. Mcedakza Malolom (33) is six months pregnant and decided to get her COVID-19 vaccination at Thembalethu Clinic. “I want to protect myself and the baby”, she said.

Mothers who are breastfeeding are also eligible for the vaccine and so also women who are planning a pregnancy. By getting the vaccine you will decrease your chances of getting severe COVID-19 or dying from COVID-19. The vaccine can protect you and possibly your baby from getting even mild COVID-19 infection. None of the COVID-19 vaccines contain the live virus, so it cannot give you or your baby COVID-19. The vaccine may cause the same side effects whether you are pregnant or not. These are usually mild. You can use paracetamol if you have a fever or headache after vaccination.

For more information visit: www.westerncape.gov.za

Caption: Mcedakza Malolom had her vaccination to protect her unborn child. With her is Sr Meissenheimer (vaccinator) and Ms Nolokwe (administrator).

END

Nadia Ferreira
Principal Communications Officer
Garden Route and Central Karoo Districts
Western Cape Government Health
Tel: 044 813 1831
Email: Nadia.Ferreira@westerncape.gov.za
Website: www.westerncape.gov.za