Premier Alan Winde has announced that three more people have succumbed to coronavirus in the Western Cape since 5pm yesterday [April 22].
“The Western Cape is saddened to announce another three deaths in the province – bringing the total number of deaths to 25 – two women aged 62 and 63 respectively and a 41-year-old man. We send our condolences to their family and loved ones at this time,” Winde said.
“The deaths indicate that the elderly and people with co-morbid medical conditions (like hypertension, heart disease, diabetes and lung disease) are particularly at risk of severe Covid-19 disease. We call for special attention and precautions to protect the elderly and people with chronic diseases against exposure to Covid-19. It is also important to stress the need for healthy lifestyles and the annual flu vaccine. The flu vaccine doesn’t prevent COVID-19 infection, but it can protect the vulnerable from contracting the flu and further compromising immunity.”
Total confirmed COVID-19 cases: 1153
Total recoveries: 236
Total deaths: 25
Total active cases (currently infected patients): 892
Patients in hospital: 53 (of which 23 are in ICU)
Total tests conducted: 21 077
Sub Districts Cape Town Metro:
Sub-district Cases:
Western: 298
Southern: 179
Northern: 49
Tygerberg: 105
Eastern: 99
Klipfontein: 72
Mitchells Plain: 75
Khayelitsha: 77
Total: 954
Sub Districts Non-Metro:
District Sub-district Cases
Garden Route: Bitou – 5
Garden Route: Knysna – 14
Garden Route: George – 14
Garden Route: Hessequa – 5
Garden Route: Mossel Bay – 19
Garden Route: Oudtshoorn – 3
Cape Winelands: Stellenbosch – 15
Cape Winelands: Drakenstein – 11
Cape Winelands: Breede Valley – 18
Cape Winelands: Langeberg – 2
Cape Winelands: Witzenberg – 43
Overberg: Overstrand – 11
Overberg: Theewaterskloof – 1
West Coast: Saldanha Bay Municipality – 3
West Coast: Matzikama – 1
West Coast: Swartland – 6
Unallocated: 29
“If you are not feeling well, you must stay home, and call our hotline for advice on what to do next. And, we should all be wearing cloth masks (properly with good hygiene practices) whenever we go out into public,” Winde said.
President Ramaphosa is expected to address the nation tonight regarding the lockdown.
“Whatever approach is adopted by the President going forward, one reality is clear: we are entering into a “new normal” in South Africa. The lockdown has given us precious time to prepare for the peak of the pandemic, but it has not stopped it,” Winde said. “There is a lot of hard work still needed from us all. Indeed, we all have an important role to play in flattening the curve, and I urge all our residents to keep up their hard work in helping us do so. We are all in this together.”
The Western Cape Government has now screened over 100 000 people through its community screening programme, with 123 683 people screened and 5230 tested since the programme was first rolled out at the beginning of April.
Picture: pality.org