As of today [May 17] at 1pm, the Western Cape has 5569 active cases of COVID-19, with a total of 9246 confirmed cases and 3521 recoveries.
The breakdown of cases is as follows:
Total confirmed: COVID-19 cases: 9246
Total recoveries: 3521
Total deaths: 156
Total active cases (currently infected patients): 5569
Total number of tests: 90750
Hospital admissions: 360 of which 108 are in ICU or high care
Sub Districts Cape Town Metro:
Western 996 cases; 499 recoveries
Southern 935 cases; 318 recoveries
Northern 611 cases; 228 recoveries
Tygerberg 1446 cases; 576 recoveries
Eastern 902 cases; 376 recoveries
Klipfontein 1148 cases; 409 recoveries
Mitchells Plain 865 cases; 297 recoveries
Khayelitsha 1225 cases; 479 recoveries
Total 8128 cases; 3182 recoveries
Sub Districts Non-Metro:
Garden Route Bitou 5 cases; 5 recoveries
Garden Route Knysna 23 cases; 14 recoveries
Garden Route George 23 cases; 16 recoveries
Garden Route Hessequa 8 cases; 6 recoveries
Garden Route Kannaland 1 cases; 0 recoveries
Garden Route Mossel Bay 24 cases; 19 recoveries
Garden Route Oudtshoorn 4 cases; 3 recoveries
Cape Winelands Stellenbosch 60 cases; 21 recoveries
Cape Winelands Drakenstein 114 cases; 25 recoveries
Cape Winelands Breede Valley 46 cases; 29 recoveries
Cape Winelands Langeberg 7 cases; 3 recoveries
Cape Winelands Witzenberg 204 cases; 143 recoveries
Overberg Overstrand 23 cases; 15 recoveries
Overberg Cape Agulhas 2 cases; 1 recoveries
Overberg Swellendam 10 cases; 2 recoveries
Overberg Theewaterskloof 17 cases; recoveries 2
West Coast Bergrivier 16 cases; 1 recoveries
West Coast Cederberg 1 cases; 0 recoveries
West Coast Matzikama 2 cases; 0 recoveries
West Coast Saldanha Bay Municipality 12 cases; 2 recoveries
West Coast Swartland 29 cases; 9 recoveries
Unallocated: 487 (23 recovered)
Unfortunately, the province recorded an additional 9 COVID-19 deaths, bringing the total number of deaths in the province to 156. “We send our condolences to the family and the loved ones of the deceased at this time,” said Premier Alan Winde.
The Western Cape is, however, pleased to report that more than 3 500 people in the province have recovered from COVID-19 infections. “The rate of recovery in Witzenberg now stands at 70% of all cases, and in the Western region, half of all recorded cases to date have recovered. These are especially promising numbers as both of these areas are considered hotspots in the province,” they said in a media statement.
“The majority of people will only experience mild symptoms and 90% of patients will not need to be hospitalised. While many will recover without complications, we must not underestimate the impact of the COVID-19 virus, especially on the elderly and those with underlying medical conditions. The infection curve in the Western Cape is moving faster, and we are seeing higher rates of community transmission.”
Presently, the Western Cape’s death rate is 1.68%. According to the province, this is in line with international norms.
They have highlighted that most of those who have died of COVID-19, in the Western Cape, have had one ore more additional health issues.
“It is therefore imperative that vulnerable residents take extra precautions- by staying home as much as possible to reduce the risk of infection, and by strictly abiding to the golden rules- including frequent hand washing and other hygiene measures, keeping a distance of at least 1.5 metres from any other person and by wearing a clean, cloth mask when leaving the house,” they said.
Winde said that the hotspot plan is “systematically addressing infections in nine geographic locations in the province, using the skills, data and experience available across government departments” adding that while hard work is being done by that government every individual must help out by protecting themselves and their loved ones.
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