- South Africa is experiencing a rapid rise in COVID-19 cases as the country approaches the peak winter months of July and August.
- Gauteng province is expected to surpass other provinces in new cases due to its large population and economic activity. Testing backlogs are being cleared.
- The Western Cape had high previous case numbers due to a hospital-centric response and weak contact tracing/quarantine. Community reluctance to isolate remains a challenge.
President Cyril Ramaphosa on progress in the national effort to contain covid19SABC News
The number of new infections, hospital admissions and deaths is higher now than it has ever been since the first case was recorded in our country in March 2020.
Higher education, science and innovation lockdown level 1 media statement finalSABC News
The Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation has been
building comprehensive programmes, systems, controls through
establishment of guidelines, protocols, capacity building, at all levels firmly
grounded in the growing body of science and latest epidemiological data.
Address by president Cyril Ramaphosa on South Africa’s response to the corona...SABC News
It is exactly 10 weeks since we declared a national state of disaster in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Since then, we have implemented severe and unprecedented measures – including a nation-wide lockdown – to contain the spread of the virus.
Statement East London Correctional CentreSABC News
Correctional Services Minister Ronald Lamola has confirmed that 26 people have tested positive at the East London Correctional Services Centre. These include 23 staff members and three inmates
President Cyril Ramaphosa on progress in the national effort to contain covid19SABC News
The number of new infections, hospital admissions and deaths is higher now than it has ever been since the first case was recorded in our country in March 2020.
Higher education, science and innovation lockdown level 1 media statement finalSABC News
The Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation has been
building comprehensive programmes, systems, controls through
establishment of guidelines, protocols, capacity building, at all levels firmly
grounded in the growing body of science and latest epidemiological data.
Address by president Cyril Ramaphosa on South Africa’s response to the corona...SABC News
It is exactly 10 weeks since we declared a national state of disaster in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Since then, we have implemented severe and unprecedented measures – including a nation-wide lockdown – to contain the spread of the virus.
Statement East London Correctional CentreSABC News
Correctional Services Minister Ronald Lamola has confirmed that 26 people have tested positive at the East London Correctional Services Centre. These include 23 staff members and three inmates
PRESIDENT CYRIL RAMAPHOSA ON PROGRESS IN THE NATIONAL EFFORT TO CONTAIN THE C...SABC News
The first issue is the re-opening of schools and the second is the management of the
resources that we have dedicated towards the fight against COVID-19.
Putting insight into action – local authority response to the coronavirus pan...Si Chun Lam
Putting insight into action – local authority response to the coronavirus pandemic
Presentation to the Analytics Reading Group at Warwick Business School (WBS) on 9 November 2020
https://www.wbs.ac.uk/events/view/6771
The slides cover the AHSN's response to the Covid-19 pandemic, and provides a review of 2019-20.
There are also case studies where AHSN staff returned to the frontline NHS, to support our colleagues with the response to Covid-19. All documents can be viewed or downloaded below.
Bill Gillespie, Chief Executive of Wessex AHSN, said: "Thanks to the trusted relationships we have built with regional and national partners over the past eight years, we have been in a strong position to provide a solid, adaptive response to the crisis.
"Along the way, we have discovered that staff at every level of our partner organisations have enormous depths of creativity and commitment; and that the public are more willing than we ever imagined to welcome technology and innovation into their care.
"Our own AHSN staff have also shown a huge willingness to take on new roles, to work almost entirely virtually; and, for some, to step back into frontline roles or play a part in key national Covid projects. We’d like to thank them for their amazing commitment over the past few months."
Community based COVID preparedness (CBCP) 25082021Sudhanshu39
The coronavirus pandemic has shown us a new world where the status quo no longer exists.
•‘The world has seen many crises over the past 30 years, including the Global Financial Crisis of 2007-09. Each has hit human development hard but, overall, development gains accrued globally year-on-year. COVID-19, with its triple hit to health, education, and income, may change this trend.’ UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner
• But the pandemic also shows us the wisdom of what is already inherent in the SDGs; the challenges we face cannot be dealt with in isolation or by a piecemeal approach.
• WHO COVID-19 Strategic Response and Preparedness Plan 2021 also highlights the need for coordinated response to plot a course out of the pandemic.
COVID-19 BEST PPT EVER MADE (FULLY DETAILED)SHAURYAANCHAL
HELLO FRIENDS THIS IS THE BEST PPT MADE ON COVID 19 AND VERY INFORMATIVE CONTENT EVER MADE.
YOU CAN USE THIS IN YOUR SCHOOL PROJECT OR IN OTHER ARTICLES, YOU ALSO DON'T NEED TO SEARCH OVER EACH TOPIC IN INTERNET.
THE WHOLE PPT(POWERPOINT PRESENTATION) IS ENOUGH FOR YOU.
ALL THE BEST FOR YOUR PROJECT/WORK
REGARDS/MADE BY
SHAURYA ANCHAL
EMAIL ID : shauryaanchalofficial@gmail.com
Norys GilSouth University NSG4076 Capstone Weetangelae6x
Norys Gil
South University
NSG4076 Capstone
Week 1 Midweek Assignment
Introduction
The purposes of this capstone project is to gather information regarding facility procedures and gather understanding of how specific dynamics that may be controlled within a private child care, can help minimize the potential of introduction/possible spread of COVID-19 during the current pandemic. The specific community chosen is the population of a residential / commercial childcare recipients and their families, as well as the staff of the institution.. Sunshine Childcare operates 24 hours a day and is located in a residential home, in a predominantly Hispanic neighborhood, adequately enabled to serve 25 kids, with a the range of ages between 7 months and 14 years old, 92% Hispanic, 4% Afro-Americans and 4% Native Americans.
The working staff is constituted by two direct care providers and occasional maintenance workers, who are overseen by the director, which is the owner.
Under the current COVID-19 pandemic circumstances, Sunshine Childcare has implemented the following infection control measures: hand washing and use of hand sanitizer during the day, use of a facial mask for kids above 3 years old, prohibiting outside visitors and parents dropping off their kids from entering into the facility. The only exception applies to authorities from Children Youth and Family Division, essential medical personal needed for the kids and emergency maintenance personnel..
“Based on available evidence, children do not appear to be at higher risk for COVID-19 than adults” (CDC, 2020).However, it is important to note that implementation of infection control measures within the chosen community constitute of great significance because since is a new disease we are learning about it every day.
The project aims to analyze the needs of education to staff and families in the implementation of measures to prevent the introduction and/or break the chain of transmission within their homes, the community and inside the facility. Each family must implement a closed environment and follows the mandatory statute of social distance.
Outcomes from this study will serve to reveal which additional measures can be implemented in Sunshine Childcare, as well as aspects of the education needed from the staff and families to prevent the transmission.
Problem Statement
Sunshine Childcare has implemented restriction guidelines regarding outside visitors and parent’s ability to access the actual building when they drop their children off and pick them up. In addition, they enforce the use of the facial mask for staff, parents and children over 3 years old, as well as hand washing and hand sanitizer. The problem lies when we try to prevent contagion not only to/from children, but also from their families and staff even outside the facility, as well as to identify what aspects of the education are needed and what additional procedures and resources may be suitable to implement ...
President Ramaphosa COVID-19 address 13 May 2020SABC News
This coronavirus is taking a heavy toll not only on the health of our people, but also on our
people’s ability to earn a living, to feed themselves and their families, to learn and to
develop, and to enjoy many of the basic freedoms that we daily take for granted.
Ministry of Justice Extradition Eswatini 3.pdfSABC News
The Ministry of Justice and Correctional Services has confirmed that an extradition application for the two men linked to the murder of Kiernan 'AKA' Forbes and Tebello 'Tibz' Motsoane has been approved and sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions in eSwatini.
PRESIDENT CYRIL RAMAPHOSA ON PROGRESS IN THE NATIONAL EFFORT TO CONTAIN THE C...SABC News
The first issue is the re-opening of schools and the second is the management of the
resources that we have dedicated towards the fight against COVID-19.
Putting insight into action – local authority response to the coronavirus pan...Si Chun Lam
Putting insight into action – local authority response to the coronavirus pandemic
Presentation to the Analytics Reading Group at Warwick Business School (WBS) on 9 November 2020
https://www.wbs.ac.uk/events/view/6771
The slides cover the AHSN's response to the Covid-19 pandemic, and provides a review of 2019-20.
There are also case studies where AHSN staff returned to the frontline NHS, to support our colleagues with the response to Covid-19. All documents can be viewed or downloaded below.
Bill Gillespie, Chief Executive of Wessex AHSN, said: "Thanks to the trusted relationships we have built with regional and national partners over the past eight years, we have been in a strong position to provide a solid, adaptive response to the crisis.
"Along the way, we have discovered that staff at every level of our partner organisations have enormous depths of creativity and commitment; and that the public are more willing than we ever imagined to welcome technology and innovation into their care.
"Our own AHSN staff have also shown a huge willingness to take on new roles, to work almost entirely virtually; and, for some, to step back into frontline roles or play a part in key national Covid projects. We’d like to thank them for their amazing commitment over the past few months."
Community based COVID preparedness (CBCP) 25082021Sudhanshu39
The coronavirus pandemic has shown us a new world where the status quo no longer exists.
•‘The world has seen many crises over the past 30 years, including the Global Financial Crisis of 2007-09. Each has hit human development hard but, overall, development gains accrued globally year-on-year. COVID-19, with its triple hit to health, education, and income, may change this trend.’ UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner
• But the pandemic also shows us the wisdom of what is already inherent in the SDGs; the challenges we face cannot be dealt with in isolation or by a piecemeal approach.
• WHO COVID-19 Strategic Response and Preparedness Plan 2021 also highlights the need for coordinated response to plot a course out of the pandemic.
COVID-19 BEST PPT EVER MADE (FULLY DETAILED)SHAURYAANCHAL
HELLO FRIENDS THIS IS THE BEST PPT MADE ON COVID 19 AND VERY INFORMATIVE CONTENT EVER MADE.
YOU CAN USE THIS IN YOUR SCHOOL PROJECT OR IN OTHER ARTICLES, YOU ALSO DON'T NEED TO SEARCH OVER EACH TOPIC IN INTERNET.
THE WHOLE PPT(POWERPOINT PRESENTATION) IS ENOUGH FOR YOU.
ALL THE BEST FOR YOUR PROJECT/WORK
REGARDS/MADE BY
SHAURYA ANCHAL
EMAIL ID : shauryaanchalofficial@gmail.com
Norys GilSouth University NSG4076 Capstone Weetangelae6x
Norys Gil
South University
NSG4076 Capstone
Week 1 Midweek Assignment
Introduction
The purposes of this capstone project is to gather information regarding facility procedures and gather understanding of how specific dynamics that may be controlled within a private child care, can help minimize the potential of introduction/possible spread of COVID-19 during the current pandemic. The specific community chosen is the population of a residential / commercial childcare recipients and their families, as well as the staff of the institution.. Sunshine Childcare operates 24 hours a day and is located in a residential home, in a predominantly Hispanic neighborhood, adequately enabled to serve 25 kids, with a the range of ages between 7 months and 14 years old, 92% Hispanic, 4% Afro-Americans and 4% Native Americans.
The working staff is constituted by two direct care providers and occasional maintenance workers, who are overseen by the director, which is the owner.
Under the current COVID-19 pandemic circumstances, Sunshine Childcare has implemented the following infection control measures: hand washing and use of hand sanitizer during the day, use of a facial mask for kids above 3 years old, prohibiting outside visitors and parents dropping off their kids from entering into the facility. The only exception applies to authorities from Children Youth and Family Division, essential medical personal needed for the kids and emergency maintenance personnel..
“Based on available evidence, children do not appear to be at higher risk for COVID-19 than adults” (CDC, 2020).However, it is important to note that implementation of infection control measures within the chosen community constitute of great significance because since is a new disease we are learning about it every day.
The project aims to analyze the needs of education to staff and families in the implementation of measures to prevent the introduction and/or break the chain of transmission within their homes, the community and inside the facility. Each family must implement a closed environment and follows the mandatory statute of social distance.
Outcomes from this study will serve to reveal which additional measures can be implemented in Sunshine Childcare, as well as aspects of the education needed from the staff and families to prevent the transmission.
Problem Statement
Sunshine Childcare has implemented restriction guidelines regarding outside visitors and parent’s ability to access the actual building when they drop their children off and pick them up. In addition, they enforce the use of the facial mask for staff, parents and children over 3 years old, as well as hand washing and hand sanitizer. The problem lies when we try to prevent contagion not only to/from children, but also from their families and staff even outside the facility, as well as to identify what aspects of the education are needed and what additional procedures and resources may be suitable to implement ...
President Ramaphosa COVID-19 address 13 May 2020SABC News
This coronavirus is taking a heavy toll not only on the health of our people, but also on our
people’s ability to earn a living, to feed themselves and their families, to learn and to
develop, and to enjoy many of the basic freedoms that we daily take for granted.
Ministry of Justice Extradition Eswatini 3.pdfSABC News
The Ministry of Justice and Correctional Services has confirmed that an extradition application for the two men linked to the murder of Kiernan 'AKA' Forbes and Tebello 'Tibz' Motsoane has been approved and sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions in eSwatini.
January’s Producer Price Index increases to 4.7%SABC News
Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) has released the Producer Price Index (PPI) for January, which rose to 4.7% year-on-year, compared with 4% in December.
MEC MAJUBA SADDENED BY THE PASSING AWAY OF THREE TEACHERS FOLLOWING A CAR ACC...SABC News
The Mpumalanga Department of Education has learnt with shock and sadness about an accident which claimed the lives of three teachers along the N4 road towards Mbombela.
Minister Gordhan Announces New Transnet Board Appointments_11 July 2023.pdfSABC News
The nine Trasnet Non-Executive Directors and the reappointment of two will serve a three-year term. Andile Sangqu has been appointed as the new Chairperson.
REMNANTS OF FREDDY BRINGS HEAVY RAINS IN SOME PARTS OF SOUTH AFRICA WHICH MIG...SABC News
The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma has called on communities to heed the warning from the South African Weather Service (SAWS) and the disaster management teams across the country.
Letter to the Speaker re extension 14 November 2022.pdfSABC News
Parliament's spokesperson Moloto Mothapo says retried Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo, who is chairing the panel, has written to Mapisa-Nqakula asking for an extension.
Minister of Justice and Correctional Services Ronald Lamola’s Keynote Address...SABC News
Minister of Justice and Correctional Services Ronald Lamola’s Keynote Address at the Rand Merchant Bank Investment Big Five Investment Conference, 13 September 2022
This session provides a comprehensive overview of the latest updates to the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (commonly known as the Uniform Guidance) outlined in the 2 CFR 200.
With a focus on the 2024 revisions issued by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), participants will gain insight into the key changes affecting federal grant recipients. The session will delve into critical regulatory updates, providing attendees with the knowledge and tools necessary to navigate and comply with the evolving landscape of federal grant management.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand the rationale behind the 2024 updates to the Uniform Guidance outlined in 2 CFR 200, and their implications for federal grant recipients.
- Identify the key changes and revisions introduced by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in the 2024 edition of 2 CFR 200.
- Gain proficiency in applying the updated regulations to ensure compliance with federal grant requirements and avoid potential audit findings.
- Develop strategies for effectively implementing the new guidelines within the grant management processes of their respective organizations, fostering efficiency and accountability in federal grant administration.
A process server is a authorized person for delivering legal documents, such as summons, complaints, subpoenas, and other court papers, to peoples involved in legal proceedings.
Russian anarchist and anti-war movement in the third year of full-scale warAntti Rautiainen
Anarchist group ANA Regensburg hosted my online-presentation on 16th of May 2024, in which I discussed tactics of anti-war activism in Russia, and reasons why the anti-war movement has not been able to make an impact to change the course of events yet. Cases of anarchists repressed for anti-war activities are presented, as well as strategies of support for political prisoners, and modest successes in supporting their struggles.
Thumbnail picture is by MediaZona, you may read their report on anti-war arson attacks in Russia here: https://en.zona.media/article/2022/10/13/burn-map
Links:
Autonomous Action
http://Avtonom.org
Anarchist Black Cross Moscow
http://Avtonom.org/abc
Solidarity Zone
https://t.me/solidarity_zone
Memorial
https://memopzk.org/, https://t.me/pzk_memorial
OVD-Info
https://en.ovdinfo.org/antiwar-ovd-info-guide
RosUznik
https://rosuznik.org/
Uznik Online
http://uznikonline.tilda.ws/
Russian Reader
https://therussianreader.com/
ABC Irkutsk
https://abc38.noblogs.org/
Send mail to prisoners from abroad:
http://Prisonmail.online
YouTube: https://youtu.be/c5nSOdU48O8
Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/libertarianlifecoach/episodes/Russian-anarchist-and-anti-war-movement-in-the-third-year-of-full-scale-war-e2k8ai4
Jennifer Schaus and Associates hosts a complimentary webinar series on The FAR in 2024. Join the webinars on Wednesdays and Fridays at noon, eastern.
Recordings are on YouTube and the company website.
https://www.youtube.com/@jenniferschaus/videos
Understanding the Challenges of Street ChildrenSERUDS INDIA
By raising awareness, providing support, advocating for change, and offering assistance to children in need, individuals can play a crucial role in improving the lives of street children and helping them realize their full potential
Donate Us
https://serudsindia.org/how-individuals-can-support-street-children-in-india/
#donatefororphan, #donateforhomelesschildren, #childeducation, #ngochildeducation, #donateforeducation, #donationforchildeducation, #sponsorforpoorchild, #sponsororphanage #sponsororphanchild, #donation, #education, #charity, #educationforchild, #seruds, #kurnool, #joyhome
What is the point of small housing associations.pptxPaul Smith
Given the small scale of housing associations and their relative high cost per home what is the point of them and how do we justify their continued existance
Presentation by Jared Jageler, David Adler, Noelia Duchovny, and Evan Herrnstadt, analysts in CBO’s Microeconomic Studies and Health Analysis Divisions, at the Association of Environmental and Resource Economists Summer Conference.
1. PRETORIA
Private Bag X828, PRETORIA, 0001, 28th Floor, Civitas Building, Cnr Thabo Sehume and Struben Street, PRETORIA, 0001
Tel: (012) 395 8086 Fax: (012) 395 9165
CAPE TOWN
Private Bag X9070, CAPE TOWN, 8000, Room 413, 120 Plein Street, CAPE TOWN, 8000 Tel: (021) 466 7262 Fax: (021) 465 1575
28 June 2020
Today, the Cumula/ve number of total cases is 138 134
1 567 084 tests have been conducted to date with 38 075 new tests reported.
Province Total cases for 28 June 2020 Percentage total
Eastern Cape 25099 18,2
Free State 1279 0,9
Gauteng 36895 26,7
KwaZulu-Natal 8433 6,1
Limpopo 935 0,7
Mpumalanga 1016 0,7
North West 3647 2,6
Northern Cape 385 0,3
Western Cape 60445 43,8
Unknown 0 0,0
Total 138134 100,0
2. Regrettably we report 43 new COVID-19 related deaths bringing the total to 2456
The recoveries stand at 68 925.
Provincial breakdown:
Sector Total tested New tested
Private 804 248 51% 27 401 72%
Public 762 836 49% 10 674 28%
Grand Total 1 567 084 38 075
Province Deaths Recoveries
Eastern Cape 387 12567
Free State 9 356
Gauteng 174 8580
KwaZulu Natal 109 3417
Limpopo 5 413
Mpumalanga 2 337
North West 5 433
Northern Cape 1 186
Western Cape 1764 42636
Total 2456 68925
3. We are seeing a rapid rise in the cumulative number of positive COVID-19 cases indicating
that, as we had expected, we are approaching a surge during the latter winter months of July
and August.
It is anticipated that while every province will unfortunately witness an increase in their
numbers, areas where there is high economic activity will experience an exponential rise –
beginning with Gauteng and Western Cape and followed by Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Na-
tal.
Key Provincial Issues
We believe that within the coming days, Gauteng will emerge with the highest COVID-19
numbers. Factors contributing to this trend are inward migration; the large population (espe-
cially in metros like Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni and Tshwane); increased congregating which
spurs cluster outbreaks; and the level to which people are able to adapt to new behaviours
such as social distancing and the wearing of masks.
When the national lockdown was eased to level three, there was a large inward movement of
people as economic activities resumed. The surge that has been witnessed in the past two
weeks has developed due to seeding of infections carried in by members of the community as
they moved back into the workplace. It was therefore inevitable that there would be cluster
outbreaks as infections spilled over from communities into places of congregation such as
mines, factories, taxis and busses. (We have indeed witnessed this in the mining sector in the
North West where cluster outbreaks in the the mines have driven a sudden increase in the
numbers in this province.)
It therefore remains critical to have well-established screening programmes in place at all
junctures where people transition into high-density areas like in the mining sector, where we
have observed quite a number of cluster outbreaks as miners return to work.
4. We have been engaging the Gauteng MEC for Health as well as the Provincial Department to
ramp up their capacity expeditiously.
In the next few days, the testing backlog will be cleared and the numbers we see will be
based on a much shorter turnaround time.
We have identified the need to increase COVID-19 hospital beds in this province and we will
be supporting the province to ensure that they are capacitated to meet the rising demands.
In addition to regular hand washing, social distancing and the correct wearing of masks at all
times, early case detection, contact tracing, quarantine and isolation are the key armaments
we have in our toolbox to break the cycle of infection. The province is being engaged to
strengthen their contact tracing and quarantine/isolation uptake.
The graph below clearly shows Gauteng’s steep upward curve denoting the largest surge in
the country at present.
5. Turning our attention to the Western Cape, we recognized that there were some key issues
that led the province to having high number of cases. One of the main observations was that
the the provincial strategy was mainly hospicentric- focusing on case management. Intensive
contact tracing, quarantine and isolation programmes were suboptimal.
Since the intervention, the province has been working hard to address these gaps but we are
receiving reports that most community members remain reluctant to subject themselves to
quarantine and isolation, despite government having secured these sites in various parts of the
province. Our concern is that this continues to exacerbate the risk of spread of infections in
communities especially in households where it is practically impossible to self isolate given
the limited space.
Although there may be provisions for authorities to enforce law, it is important for members
of the public to partner with government in its efforts. We remain committed to work together
with civil society in an empowerment exercise that enables each individual to make the right
decisions – decisions that allow people to protect themselves, protect the elderly, protect
those with co-morbidities and protect the poor and vulnerable.
We are working on a programme with social scientists and a new multi-sectoral Ministerial
Advisory Committee on Social Behavioural Change to attain fundamental reform at grass-
roots levels for the sake of saving lives. It will be important to engage community, religious
and traditional leaders who can motivate individuals to adhere to non-pharmaceutical inter-
ventions.
Having compared the real numbers with those depicted in predictive models, we have noticed
that Western Cape hasn’t quite reached the surge as expected by modellers. The consortium
has accordingly reviewed their models, taking into account what has been observed in actual
terms.
6. Since we have cleared the testing backlog, the numbers attributable to those backlogged sam-
ples no longer play a role and so the increase in new cases is reduced. Having said that, the
rise is still significant and Western Cape remains a key hotspot in the country. We will there-
fore continue to support the province and pay close attention to key developments.
Having discussed Western Cape, we now move to issues pertaining to its neighbour, the East-
ern Cape.
I have previously spoken to the province’s vulnerability due to its proximity with Western
Cape – indeed this has manifested in the trends we are seeing currently.
Interprovincial migration is complicated by the fact that seasonal workers often move back
and forth between both provinces.
As in other provinces, carriers of the Coronavirus seed infection into spaces where people
congregate and so we have also seen a number of cluster outbreaks in Eastern Cape.
Case management in Eastern Cape has also come into the spotlight. We wish to reassure the
public that complaints on social media regarding treatment in some of the hospitals, as well
as overall public health issues described in the media, have been well noted.
We therefore need to emphasize the strengthening of the provincial health system in its en-
tirety. We had initially deployed a team of epidemiologists from the National Department of
Health who intervened on an emergency basis to focus on the bottleneck in Personal Protec-
tive Equipment (PPE) procurement and the immediate outbreak response.
We are now reinforcing this support by deploying experienced senior managers to deal with
the overall health systems management in the province and assist with the ground response.
Once again, it will be important to carry out strong tracking and tracing systems and optimize
quarantine and isolation uptakes.
7. Key National Issues
Understandably, there has been a lot of concern about the schooling system and the ability to
successfully sustain the reopening of schools. Once again, we wish to highlight that the clus-
ter outbreaks we are seeing in schools is as result of learners or educators who had unknow-
ingly acquired COVID-19 in their respective communities before returning to school. It was
for this reason that an intense screening and testing programme was instituted in schools to
ensure the early identification of cases before they become super-spreader events. As the De-
partment of Health, we are equally keen to ensure minimal disruption to the school calendar
going forward and so we, in collaboration with our experts, are working closely with the De-
partment of Education to strengthen protocols so that schools do not close unnecessarily be-
cause of identified cases.
Overall, we expect that all provinces will start experiencing an increase in the number of
COVID-19 cases – even those with low numbers now. We are closely monitoring all districts,
whether they are high-transmission or low-transmission areas. Indeed, the differentiated ap-
proach emphasized the need to increase monitoring and surveillance in low-transmission ar-
eas.
Hotpots need reinforcements and health intervention teams will be deployed for additional
capacity so that the outbreak response matches the rise in numbers.
The lockdown, and restrictions on large gatherings, has put in a better position to respond to
the outbreak now as compared to the situation we could have been in had we allowed the
virus to continue spreading unabated back in March.
Recognizing that the numbers will soon outpace manual tracking and tracing, we have piloted
a tracking and tracing ICT application solution which has already demonstrated excellent ef-
ficacy in the geo-location of cases, tracking and notifying contacts, and providing informa-
tion and alerts. These are proving to be wonderful communication tools, enabling us to send
8. messages to affected individuals on their mobile phones. This tool bolsters the work of exist-
ing contact tracers, whose value in engaging community members cannot be diminished by
technology.
Overall, case management is very good and I would like to congratulate all officials and
health care workers for tirelessly soldiering on under the most trying circumstances.
We will be clearing all testing backlogs and reducing the turnaround time to less than 72
hours so that the management of persons under investigation and contacts can be expedited.
Our hospitalization rate is increasing with Western Cape remaining the province with the
highest numbers of admissions.
As at 27 June the majority of hospitalized patients were admitted in Western cape at at 36%
(1629), Gauteng at 26% (1 164) and and Eastern Cape at 17% (775)
Nationally the highest proportion of patients are in general wards (isolation wards) at 80,1%
of hospitalized patients, 11.3 are in intensive care and of those 58,6% are on ventilation. 15%
of all hospitalized patients are on oxygen.
As such, we recognize that we have not reached our full bed capacity and this is an area re-
ceiving urgent attention together with the provincial departments.
Successful public and private partnerships are paramount so we are very pleased that negotia-
tions with the private sector are now concluded and private facilities are ready to accept pub-
lic patients.
We have engaged industries to secure what we need to meet our increasing oxygen require-
ments and we are very gratified by the cooperation and willingness of industries to divert
oxygen to hospital facilities.
9. The procurement and acquisition of ventilators is on course – we feel confident we will be
able to meet demand.
We have revised the dexamethasone protocols to ensure early administration to the most crit-
ically ill patients.
A further study of hospitalization data gives us insight into the natural history of the disease –
this is key as we craft the national COVID-19 response.
The National Institute of Communicable Diseases has published data studying 10 700
COVID-19 admissions in 269 facilities (71 Public and 198 private) between 5 March 2020
and 21 June 2020.
The data does indeed confirm that the elderly and those with co-morbidities – like hyperten-
sion, diabetes, cardiac disease, chronic kidney disease, malignancy, HIV and obesity – are the
most vulnerable population.
As we are all well aware, these diseases are prevalent in our country. We therefore cannot af-
ford to take our eyes off the non-COVID-19 issues that were already putting pressure on our
health care system before the advent of COVID-19.
We will be using the opportunities afforded by the COVID-19 pandemic response to
strengthen primary health care. We believe that investment in primary health care will ulti-
mately have a fiscal benefit because healthy people build economies.
We also appeal to all citizens living with these conditions not to neglect their appointments
and medication for fear of going to a facility and contracting COVID-19. We have ensured
that all facilities have a triaging mechanism in place to separate those with flu-like symptoms.
It is vital that everyone living with these co-morbidities ensures good control of their chronic
conditions. We have also said that for those who are well controlled, clinicians are encour-
10. aged to prolong their repeat scripts for the duration of the State of Disaster. This will greatly
assist in reducing facility burden and avoiding exposure for those with co-morbidities.
Although we see mortally rising in absolute numbers, our mortality rate remains stable be-
tween 1,8% and 2,1%. We can still improve this mortality rate by isolating and quarantining
appropriately where required. This directly reduces exposure and protects those who are vul-
nerable.
Appeal to South African Citizens to Support the Campaign for Social Behavioural
Change
As Government, we have mobilized every resource, every faculty and wherewithal at our
disposal to effect the necessary interventions.
But government cannot manage this unilaterally. Every single South African now needs to
focus on adhering to recommendations pertaining to non-pharmaceutical interventions.
We are extremely concerned that fatigue seems to have set in and South Africans are letting
down their guard at a time when the spread of infection is surging.
We see poor or no social distancing in communities. Masks are being abandoned or not worn
properly and there is laxity setting in around frequent hand-washing.
This will directly influence the rise in numbers in the next two weeks. We must all appreciate
that there is a direct causal link between the surge of cases and our ability, or inability, to ad-
here to these very basic principles.
We do not have a vaccine. We do not have a cure. Our ability to break the cycle of infection
depends on our willingness to remain focused and disciplined and take non-pharmaceutical
interventions seriously.
11. We can beat this pandemic together – we already proved this during the lockdown. It remains
in each and every citizens hands to admonish family members, colleagues, friends. who
refuse to adhere to measures that protect lives by limiting the spread of this virus.