Health Minister Zweli Mkhize has reminded South Africans to download the COVID Alert SA app on their cellphones to help them keep aware of coronavirus cases that they could potentially be exposed to. This comes as the country enters alert Level One of the lockdown – with further economic activities resuming.
South Africa has recorded more than 660 000 coronavirus cases, of which 590 000 have recovered.
More than 15 000 people have died from COVID-19-related illnesses:
Loading…
Mkhize has called on South Africans to ensure all precautionary measures are taken to avoid a resurgence of coronavirus infections in the country.
“All the results that we do, we put them on the cellphone of the individuals whose results are negative or positive. If they are positive, we can make sure that the person who has received such results, their cellphone can send a notice to those who are nearby without identifying who the person is. It helps to alert us because when we go into a resurgence of the virus you need to be warned early if you have been exposed because by then you will find that the infections will come from where you didn’t expect.”
Addressing the nation last week, President Cyril Ramaphosa said that the Department of Health developed a WhatsApp and SMS system for people without smartphones to provide them with test results and alert them of possible exposure to the virus.
“Contact tracing is a preventative measure to protect yourself and your family and friends.”
He added that the government will be undertaking a nationwide survey to assess the levels of infection within SA. Below President Ramaphosa’s speech on move to Level one of Lockdown:
