Eastern Cape facing challenges in tracing COVID-19 related cases

Health Minister, Dr. Zweli Mkhize, says the Eastern Cape is facing challenges tracing contacts of COVID-19 related cases.

He also expressed concern over the rapid increase in the number of confirmed cases in the province.

We have started implementing a tracking and tracing platform which we will announce in the next day or two. We will use it here in the Eastern Cape to catch up. #ECVisit11June

— Dr Zweli Mkhize (@DrZweliMkhize) June 11, 2020

The Eastern Cape currently has almost 8000 cases of the virus.

Mkhize was addressing the media at Mthatha’s Nelson Mandela Academic hospital as part of his two-day visit to the province.

The Eastern Cape Health Department says in the OR Tambo District alone, there are over 1100 confirmed cases of COVID-19.

We need to engage the communities and traditional leaders. We need to also deal with the issue of stigma. People need to disclose their symptoms and those that are positive need to disclose their status. #ECVisit11June

— Dr Zweli Mkhize (@DrZweliMkhize) June 11, 2020

This is cause for concern in a district that has seen the closure of several health centres, after staff became infected.

Minister Mkhize says for the country to be able deal with COVID-19, everyone must first acknowledge that it’s business unusual…

“The numbers will continue rising. We must brace ourselves. Training is important to understand how to deal with the infection. We as health workers are trained to specifically understand how to deal with the infections. All of us have to take precautions. We must make sure that everybody protects themselves and others.”

From the point of view of the report I’m comfortable that you are moving on the right track, just need to act with speed now. #ECVisit11June

— Dr Zweli Mkhize (@DrZweliMkhize) June 11, 2020

Provincial Health MEC, Sindiswa Gomba, says they initiated the visit so that the minister could see some of the challenges the province is facing.

“This is a visit that is initiated by the province. We want the minister to see first hand the challenges we face. Minister, we feel you must assist us where we are stuck.”

Making a presentation to the minister and the MEC, Chief Director for Communicable Diseases, Miyakazi Nokwe focussed on the OR Tambo region, which she described as a hotspot…

“There are 40 deaths in the OR Tambo region with KSD and Nyandeni being the epicenter. Mhlontlo and Port St John’s have 5 deaths each.”

Minister Mkhize has also announced that the country has reached the 1-million mark in testing people. The country now has 58 568 confirmed COVID-19 cases.

Updated: #COVID19 Statistics in South Africa as at 11 June 2020 pic.twitter.com/Kab4rVat1v

— Dr Zweli Mkhize (@DrZweliMkhize) June 11, 2020

The recoveries as at 11 June 2020 are 33 252. #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/i1NsEM4SIf

— Dr Zweli Mkhize (@DrZweliMkhize) June 11, 2020