Provincial & National

19 June 2020

As of 1pm on 19 June, the Western Cape has 12516 active cases of COVID-19, with a total of 47892  confirmed cases and 34067  recoveries.

Sub Districts Cape Town Metro:

Sub-districts:

Unallocated: 3239 (1840 recovered).

Data note:  As the province moves closer to the peak and the Department of Health is recording over 1000 new cases daily, it is not possible to check and verify that the address data supplied for each new case is correct, within the time frames required to for the daily updates. This means that in some instances, cases could be allocated to the wrong sub-districts. We are working with the sub-districts to clean and verify the data and where errors are picked up locally, cases will be re-allocated to the correct areas.

More data is available here: https://coronavirus.westerncape.gov.za/covid-19-dashboard

The Western Cape has recorded an additional 33 deaths, bringing the total number of COVID-19 related deaths in the province to 1309. We send our condolences to their loved ones at this time.

Quarantine and isolation:

Quarantine and isolation are an important part of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19 must isolate for a period of 14 days. If you are a close contact of someone who has tested positive for the virus, awaiting test results, or if you are experiencing symptoms but do not fall into one of the groups that will be tested under the risk adjusted testing strategy, you must quarantine. If you are able to isolate or quarantine safely at home, you will be allowed to do so. If you are not able to do so, the Western Cape has made isolation and quarantine sites available.

These sites allow you to safely isolate or quarantine without putting your family or your loved ones at risk of becoming ill. This is even more important if any of your family members fall into any of our vulnerable groups- being over 55 or having an underlying illness.

The Western Cape has provided isolation and quarantine facilities to a total of 2568 people, with 647 people currently in facilities across the province.

Lettie Tsosetsi, the first patient to be discharged from our Pinelands isolation and quarantine site said of her stay: “I was very happy really,after my difficult time. I am leaving this place happy, it was like a family, like a home.”

Anneline van Wyk, who also stayed at the Pinelands site said: “I came here to protect my mother. I was very happy here. I liked the environment, I didn’t feel at all sick, you made us feel human through it all. I’m very glad I chose to come here.”

Anyone who needs to isolate or quarantine in one of our facilities can call the provincial hotline on 021 928 4102 and they will be referred to an appropriate facility.

18 June 2020

As of 1pm on 18 June, the Western Cape has 12 722 active cases of COVID-19, with a total of 46951 confirmed cases and 32953 recoveries.

Sub Districts Cape Town Metro:

Sub-districts:

Unallocated: 3526 (1753 recoverd)

More data is available here: https://coronavirus.westerncape.gov.za/covid-19-dashboard

The Western Cape has recorded an additional 71 deaths, bringing the total number of COVID-19 related deaths in the province to 1276. We send our condolences to their loved ones at this time.

Comorbidities:

During our weekly digicon today, public health specialist with the Department of Health, Professor Mary-Ann Davies presented her findings on how COVID-19 impacts people living with HIV, TB and other comorbidities.

These findings are important because while we have good data coming from other countries around comorbidities, there was little data around whether HIV and TB presented increased risk. The findings have revealed that while these two comorbidites do present slightly increased risk, the impact is small compared to the risks associated with old age and other illnesses like diabetes and high blood pressure.

Using data available in the public sector for comorbidities, she has determined that for every 100 COVID-19 deaths in the public sector:

-52 deaths can be attributed to diabetes

-19 can be attributed to high blood pressure

-12 can be attributed to HIV

-9 can be attributed to kidney disease

-6 can be attributed to TB (2 to current TB and 4 to previous TB).

Testing backlog:

The Western Cape Department of Health was notified today that all samples currently being processed at the National Health Laboratory Services labs in the Western Cape have been received in the past 48 hours. This means that the backlog in testing, which reached up to 27 000 tests at its worst, has now been completely cleared. We will continue to track the situation to determine whether the NHLS can continue to process tests without developing a new backlog before reviewing our decision to implement a risk adjusted testing strategy which focuses on providing testing to residents which need it most- including healthcare workers, those already in hospital, those over the age of 55, people in old aged homes and people with comorbidities which would put them at additional risk.

We thank the NHLS for their hard work to resolve the backlog and President Cyril Ramaphosa and Minister Zweli Mkhize for intervening when the Western Cape raised their concerns about the backlogs.

Testing and triage update:

A total of 19 temporary testing and triage centres have been completed at hospitals across the province. Of these, 14 have been built in the metro and 5 have been completed in our non-metro regions. We are currently working to bring an additional 14 online in the metro by 1 July, and an additional 26 in our non-metro regions by the middle to end of July.

These testing and triage centres are an important part of our healthcare readiness response as they allow for testing to be conducted separately from other hospital functions, and also ensure that our emergency units are not overwhelmed by requests for testing.

Hospital admissions:

Pressure has been building in our acute hospital facilities, however, these hospitals are not yet at full capacity and still have some spare capacity to admit COVID-19 patients. Our critical care wards at Groote Schuur and at Tygerberg are currently running at near capacity, however, two exciting medical breakthroughs may help to relieve some of this pressure. The high flow nasal oxygen which we are bringing online is starting to make a difference at both Groote Schuur and at Tygerberg, as it presents an alternative therapy to people being treated on ventilators.

We are also currently working on the clinical protocols for dexamethasone administration to patients on ventilators and oxygen therapy. Preliminary results coming out of the UK have shown really positive results in reducing mortality in serious cases of COVID-19.

MEDIA RELEASE BY DAVID MAYNIER

WESTERN CAPE MINISTER OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES

Date: 18 June 2020

Release: Immediately

Alert Level 3 lite – Further clarity required on accommodation for leisure and intra-provincial travel

We welcome the announcement by President Cyril Ramaphosa last night of the further relaxation of restrictions on certain sectors of the economy such as personal care services, restaurants, accommodation, business conferences and meetings, and cinemas and theatres among others.

We are particularly pleased that more tourism businesses will be able to operate as a result of this announcement, however, further clarity is required on whether this includes accommodation for leisure purposes and especially, whether intra-provincial travel for leisure purposes will be permitted. If not, then these businesses will not get the flow of customers they need to survive the Covid-19 crisis.

These changes, that will allow for the opening of the tourism sector, are directly in line with the proposal I made to both the Minister of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, and the Minister of Tourism, Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane.  (Read related statement)

The opening of the George Airport under Alert Level 3 is also critical for business travellers working in the Garden Route District, and we once again call on national government to urgently consider allowing it to resume operations.  (Read related statement)

The tourism industry has already done a great deal of work to develop health and safety guidelines and protocols aimed at ‘de-risking’ the sector, and we will continue to engage actively with the sector to assist them to put these safety measures in place.

Yesterday, I announced the launch of our Covid-19 Business Safety Kits, 11 000 of which will be distributed to SMMEs and informal traders across the Western Cape. (Read related statement)

This is just one more way that we are working hard to support businesses, to save jobs and save the economy in the Western Cape during the Covid-19 crisis.

We also have a number of valuable resources for employers and employees to reduce the risk of Covid-19 in the workplace, which can be found on the Western Cape government’s Covid-19 website.

For us to ensure that businesses remain open and more people get back to work, it is important that everyone adhere to the critical safety measures to stop the spread of Covid-19 in the workplace.

We will all have to pull together, and we will all have to work together, in the coming days, and weeks, and months because, in the end, it is up to all of us to stop the spread of Covid-19 in the Western Cape.

For any questions on implementing safety guidelines in the workplace, and understanding the Alert Level regulations, businesses can email us at supportbusiness@wesgro.co.za

Notes for media: 

• Please find soundbyte attached
• To view the statement online visit:  https://www.westerncape.gov.za/news/alert-level-3-lite-further-clarity-needed-tourism-intra-provincial-travel

Media Queries:

Francine Higham

Spokesperson for the Provincial Minister of Finance and Economic Opportunities

(Responsible for the Provincial Treasury and the Department of Economic Development and Tourism)

Cell: 071 087 5150 / Email: francine.higham@westerncape.gov.za

18 June 2020

Commencing with my three-day visit to the Garden Route, yesterday, I engaged the Bitou Municipality, that included the Executive Mayor Peter Lobese and the full council together with the officials. Following this engagement, I also visited the newly elected Knysna Mayor Elrick van Aswegen and had a brief meeting with the Mayco-Members of Knysna Municipality.

Along with my senior executive team, we presented the Western Cape Department of Human Settlement’s funding model, we also used the opportunity to assess the level of compliance with the Covid-19 regulations on all our Human Settlements sites, while also following up on previous commitments made.

In Bitou I confirmed the available funding for the financial year 20/21 was R35 million for housing projects in that area and appealed to the Municipality to use every cent optimally as the current Covid-19 pandemic has forced government to do business in an unusual way. This budget will be allocated to the following projects; Qolweni/Bossiesgif, New Horizon, Kwanokuthula, Zawazawa and Kurland.

In Knysna I confirmed that R56 Million has been allocated for this financial year 20/21. The projects which will benefit from this allocation include; Vision, Hlalani, Ethembeni, Happy Valley, Qolweni, Bloemfontein, Hornlee, ISSP Sedgefield, Witlokasie and Heidevallei.

Due to the Covid-19 outbreak, all three spheres of government are facing budget cuts, meaning that municipalities must learn to do more with less resources. It is critical that all municipalities consider adding Sustainable Building Technologies (SBT’s) to their housing development mix and identify further creative solutions, so that the citizens can have more diverse human settlements options.

As the Western Cape Government, we remain committed to accelerating human settlement delivery, while promoting social inclusion through the development of integrated, resilient, safe and sustainable human settlements in an open opportunity society.

Media Enquiries:

Marcellino Martin

Spokesperson for Minister Tertuis Simmers

Marcellino.martin@westerncape.gov.za / 021 483 3397 (o) / 082 721 3362 (m)

or

 Nathan Adriaanse 

Director Communication & Stakeholder Relations

Tell: 021 483 2868 / Mobile: 083 2631720 / Email: Nathan.Adriaanse@westerncape.gov.za

Monday, 15 June 2020

The Branches of the Small Enterprise Development Agency (Seda) in the Western Cape are open for consultation for a limited number of walk-in clients and visitors. Out of 14 Branches in the Province, 12 are open except Overberg and Khayelitsha Branches.  The Khayelitsha staff is currently consulting from the City of Cape Town Branch in Bellville. The offices will strictly adhere to the COVID-19 regulations. Social distancing will be enforced, all visitors must wear their masks all the time and they will be subjected to temperature screening as they walk in through the door.

Alex T Qunta, the Provincial Manager said “returning to work during this pandemic is a new territory for all of us, and we must have patience with ourselves and others while we navigate the new path. During these trying times, as an organisation we remain firm in our mission of developing, supporting and promoting small enterprises in co–ordination and partnership with role players in the ecosystem.”

The Department of Small Business Development (DSBD) through its agencies Seda and the Sefa has recently launched the following support schemes, which are funded from the Township Entrepreneurship Fund (TEF):

1. Bakeries and Confectionaries Business Scheme;
2. Spaza Shop Support Scheme;
3. Clothing, Textile and Leather Support Scheme, and
4. Automotive Aftermarkets Support Scheme.

These schemes are meant for small scale, micro, informal and co-operative enterprises based in townships and villages. Priority is given to businesses owned by Women, Youth and People with Disabilities. Qualifying enterprises are urged to register on https://smmesa.gov.za and complete an online application forms.

Issued by Seda Western Cape, Marketing and Communications Unit

Media inquires

Sibongile Somdaka

072 573 2193

17 June 2020

As of 1pm on 17 June, the Western Cape has 12 738 active cases of COVID-19, with a total of 45 767 confirmed cases and 31 824 recoveries.

Sub Districts Cape Town Metro:

Sub-districts:

Unallocated: 3063 (1706 recovered)

More data is available here: https://coronavirus.westerncape.gov.za/covid-19-dashboard

The Western Cape has recorded an additional 49 deaths, bringing the total number of COVID-19 related deaths in the province to 1205. We send our condolences to their loved ones at this time.

Small business safety:

Today Minister of Economic Opportunities, David Maynier was in Mitchells Plain to hand out the first of 11 000 business safety kits which will be distributed to SMMEs and informal traders across the province.

Each kit consists of two bottles of alcohol-based hand sanitizer, ten re-usable cloth masks, posters providing information on safe practices for staff and leaflets which can be distributed to customers on shopping safety.

These 11 000 kits will be distributed across the province, with a focus on those trading in hotspot areas, and will supplement kits already distributed by the City of Cape Town.

Our hotspot strategy includes interventions from across many of our departments as slowing the spread of the virus requires a whole of government approach. We are working closely with businesses and business organisations in our hotspots to help slow the spread of the virus. Small businesses and informal traders have an important role to play as they are very often based right in the heart of the communities they serve. These kits will help to minimise the spread of the virus, share information and help the businesses keep their staff and customers safe.

Dexamethasone:

Researchers in the UK have released incredibly positive initial findings around the use of the steroid Dexamethasone in critically ill COVID-19 patients. These preliminary findings have shown a reduction in mortality in patients who are being ventilated and to a lesser degree, in those who require oxygen support. The drug has been in use since the 1960s, and is widely available with several generic versions in production, making it affordable too.

Yesterday, Minister Zweli Mkhize indicated that while we wait for the results of the full study to be made available, the use of the drug could be considered for COVID-19 positive patients who are being mechanically ventilated, and patients who require oxygen support. The Western Cape Department of Health has received the recommendations of the Ministerial Advisory Committee and we are currently finalising the clinical protocols for the use of the drug.

I must however stress that this drug is not a cure and it is not for use in patients with milder symptoms. We are however encouraged that it has the potential to be life-saving for some of the people most severely impacted by this disease.

16 June 2020

As of 1pm on 16 June, the Western Cape has 12 155 active cases of COVID-19, with a total of 43602 confirmed cases and 30291 recoveries.

Sub Districts Cape Town Metro:

Sub-districts:

Unallocated: 4679 (2200 recovered)

More data is available here: https://coronavirus.westerncape.gov.za/covid-19-dashboard

The Western Cape has recorded an additional 45 deaths, bringing the total number of COVID-19 related deaths in the province to 1156. We send our condolences to the families and loved ones of the deceased at this time.

Hospitalisations:

A total of 1405 people are currently in hospital in the province. Included in these numbers are the admissions at our two completed temporary hospitals, the Hospital of Hope and the Khayelitsha MSF hospital. The Hospital of Hope has so far admitted a total of 45 people since it opened last week and 15 have already been discharged. The Khayelitsha hospital currently has 15 admissions.

Most people who contract COVID-19 will recover without the need for hospitalisation however, a small percentage of people will require hospital care. Our ICU admissions currently account for under 2% of all active cases. The majority of people who become seriously ill have been over the age of 55 or have one or more comorbidities including hypertension, diabetes, HIV, and heart, lung and kidney ailments.

This is why it is very important that we all work together to help protect the vulnerable. By staying home as much as possible, avoiding gatherings, wearing a mask, washing your hands, and keeping your distance when out in public you can not only prevent getting sick yourself, but you can also protect your loved ones and save lives.

15 June 2020

As of 1pm on 15 June, the Western Cape has 13166 active cases of COVID-19, with a total of  42 892 confirmed cases and 28 615  recoveries.

Sub Districts Cape Town Metro:

Sub-districts:

Unallocated: 4538 (1891 recovered).

More data is available here: https://coronavirus.westerncape.gov.za/covid-19-dashboard

The Western Cape has recorded an additional 63 deaths, bringing the total number of COVID-19 related deaths in the province to 1111. We send our condolences to the families and loved ones of the deceased at this time.

US Consul General donates 20 ventilators:

Today, I received a donation of ventilators from the Consul General of the United States, Virginia Blaser. These 20 form part of a donation of 50 ventilators which the United States has made to South Africa.

These ventilators were accepted by doctors from the Tygerberg and to Groote Schuur hospitals, where they will be used to treat seriously ill, and ICU patients.

The ventilators are smaller and more portable than many of the ventilators that we currently have in our healthcare system, allow for intubation and non-invasive ventilation and therefore will give doctors treating patients a greater degree of flexibility when moving patients and determining the best treatment options (see attached fact sheet about the ventilators).

The Western Cape has been working hard to prepare our healthcare systems, and these new ventilators will allow us to deliver potentially life-saving treatment to many more people. We thank the United States consulate in South Africa for their assistance during this pandemic, and for their partnership which stretches back many years.

Consul General Virginia Blaser said: “While today we mark the donation of 20 ventilators, we are really marking 20 years of life saving partnership between the United States and the Western Cape. Through PEPFAR, we are supporting over 4.7 million people living with HIV in South Africa. It is my hope that these ventilators will also offer life-saving support in the battle against COVID-19”.

Chrysalis graduates deployed to Khayelitsha:

Today, Minister of Community Safety Albert Fritz announced that 60 Chrysalis graduates have been deployed to various shopping centres and community health facilities in Khayelitsha as part of our hotspot strategy. These graduates have undergone training  and will help to build awareness of COVID-19 and encouraging people to adhere to social distancing protocols.

On the eve of Youth Day, it is so encouraging to see young people playing their part in communities to slow the spread of the virus and ultimately, save lives.

The hotspot strategy is all about using partnerships and encouraging a whole of society approach. The Department of Community Safety has worked closely with the Department of Health, the Khayelitsha Development Forum, Medicins Sans Frontiers, and of course, the Chrysalis Academy, to bring this deployment about. We wish these young people well and thank them for helping to protect communities in the Western Cape.

The Western Cape Government is rolling out a number of interventions in the province’s hotspots which are aimed at encouraging behavioural change to slow the spread of the coronavirus. We have already introduced the Red Dot taxi service to transport heatlhcare workers, and a major communications campaign which will include nearly 10 000 street pole posters in hotspot communities and new radio advertisements using healthcare workers. By staying safe, we will be able to protect our high risk loved ones and save lives.

14 June 2020

As of 1pm on 14 June, the Western Cape has 11657 active cases of COVID-19, with a total of 40 232 confirmed cases and 27 527 recoveries.

Sub Districts Cape Town Metro:

Sub-districts:

Unallocated: 4302 (1852 recovered)

More data is available here: https://coronavirus.westerncape.gov.za/covid-19-dashboard

The Western Cape has recorded an additional 40 deaths, bringing the total number of COVID-19 related deaths in the province to 1048. We send our condolences to the families and loved ones of the deceased at this time.

Earlier today, I launched our new communications campaign which will roll out thousands of street pole posters in isiXhosa, English and Afrikaans in all of our hotspots. More information is available here: https://coronavirus.westerncape.gov.za/news/premier-winde-launches-stay-safe-save-lives-street-pole-poster-public-awareness-campaign