Premier Alan Winde confirmed that the number of COVID-19 cases in the Western Cape have reached 446 as of today [April 4].
“As we start to see an increase in local transmission cases, we expect to experience additional pressure on our health facilities and health workers,” said Winde in a statement.
So far, 23 people have been admitted to hospital for COVID-19, with nine receiving care in ICU.
The breakdown of the cases across the province are as follows:
Sub Districts Cape Town Metro:
Sub-district Cases
Western 130
Southern 116
Northern 24
Tygerberg 34
Eastern 19
Klipfontein 15
Mitchells Plain 7
Khayelitsha 2
Total 347
Sub Districts Non-Metro:
Garden Route Bitou 5
Garden Route Knysna 10
Garden Route George 12
Garden Route Hessequa 5
Garden Route Mossel Bay 11
Garden Route Oudtshoorn 2
Cape Winelands Stellenbosch 16
Cape Winelands Drakenstein 6
Cape Winelands Breede Valley 5
Cape Winelands Langeberg 1
Overberg Overstrand 9
Overberg Theewaterskloof 1
West Coast Saldanha Bay 1
West Coast Swartland 2
Unallocated: 13
“We again urge all our residents to stay home and abide by the lock-down. By doing this, you can help flatten the curve, and save many lives,” he said.
This comes after community screening for COVID begun in the province this week. Winde confirmed the communities of Happy Valley and Ilitha Park have started screening procedures.
Community screenings are scheduled to commence in the following Cape Town Metro sub-districts, and in some areas, loud hailing operations have already begun to make the communities aware:
– Khayelitsha: Town 2 (Monday)
– Western: Bo-Kaap (Tuesday)
– Tygerberg: Bishop Lavis (Monday)
– Klipfontein: Philippi (Monday)
And, in the non-rural districts:
– Kwanonqaba, Mossel Bay (Monday)
– Mbekweni, Cape Winelands (Monday)
“A reminder that our community healthcare workers will be identifiable by their uniforms and ID cards, and members of the public are advised to request the person’s credentials as part of rigorous safety precautions. We urge community members to welcome the Community Health Workers and to co-operate with them,” said Winde.
He also addressed the confusion around specific regulations, which include the sale of cigarettes in the Western Cape.
“We have officially sent a list of issues that would require clarification to Minister Dlamini-Zuma, and we are looking forward to further discussions so that clarity can be provided,” he said.
A reminder that if you are feeling sick, stay home and call the coronavirus hotline on 021 928 4102 for advice on what to do next. If you are having difficulty breathing, seek medical care urgently.
Picture: Unsplash