Coronavirus COVID-19 in Cape Town. Updates + practical tips
DEVELOPING: Coronavirus COVID-19 in Cape Town. Updates + practical tips
CORONAVIRUS IN CAPE TOWN: THE SITUATION NOW
The National Health Department has announced that South Africa’s total number of positive cases rose to 116, up 31 from the 17 March 2020 update. The current number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Western Cape is 31, with five new positive cases. From the national total of 116, 14 of those positive cases were local transmissions.
So far in South Africa, 3070 COVID-19 tests have been completed and 2954 of those have been negative results.
The South African citizens who were evacuated from Wuhan, China and have been quarantined since their arrival back in the country, have all tested negative for COVID-19 so far and remain in isolation.
ANNOUNCEMENTS MADE BY CYRIL RAMAPHOSA
- A travel ban has come into effect for certain countries on 18 March.
- Schools closed early close for the holiday period on 18 March.
- Gatherings of more than 100 people must be cancelled.
- Smaller gatherings as well as businesses, universities, and malls should implement hygiene control.
You can read the full statement below:
WHAT IS THE CORRECT NAME OF THE VIRUS AND DISEASE?
Currently there are a lot of terms being used to refer to the novel coronavirus, and it can get confusing. The World Health Organisation has confirmed that the disease is called coronavirus disease (COVID-19), while the virus is known as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).
“Viruses, and the diseases they cause, often have different names”, explains the Wolrd Health Organisation website. “For example, HIV is the virus that causes AIDS”. Many people are also referring to it as ‘corona’ in day-to-day conversations.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF COVID-19
According the the World Health Organisation (WHO) the most common symptoms of COVID-19 are:
-
fever
-
tiredness
-
dry cough
Some patients may also experience:
-
aches and pains
-
nasal congestion
-
runny nose
-
sore throat
-
diarrhea
These symptoms are usually mild and begin gradually.
When checking your symptoms and trying to figure out if you have COVID-19, also answer the following questions:
-
Have I travelled internationally lately?
-
Have I been in contact with people who have travelled internationally lately?
WHO IS AT RISK?
It’s important to note that not only people who have travelled to Asia are at risk. Most of South Africa’s confirmed cases have been people who travelled to Europe recently, but the president confirmed local transmission during his nation address on 15 March.
According to the WHO, “…some people become infected but don’t develop any symptoms and don’t feel unwell. Most people (about 80%) recover from the disease without needing special treatment. Around 1 out of every 6 people who gets COVID-19 becomes seriously ill and develops difficulty breathing.
Older people, and those with underlying medical problems like high blood pressure, heart problems or diabetes, are more likely to develop serious illness.”
WHAT TO DO IF YOU HAVE COVID-19 SYMPTOMS
If you have a fever, cough and are experiencing difficulty breathing, you should seek medical attention immediately. Call ahead to let your healthcare provider know you’re coming and that you suspect the coronavirus.
You can also contact the national hotline on 0800 029 999 or the Western Cape hotline on 021 928 4102 for advice.
You can also add the South African Health Department (0600 123 456) to your WhatsApp contacts for on-the-go coronavirus support. Just send “hi” to start a chat and you’ll have access to the correct information on everything from prevention to testing.
HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM BEING INFECTED
- Clean your hands frequently with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water.
- Maintain at least 1 metre (3 feet) distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.
- Avoid touching your face, especially your eyes, nose and mouth.
- Cover your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or a tissue when you cough or sneeze. If you use a tissue, dispose of it immediately in a closed bin.
- If you have fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical care immediately.
- Stay home from work, school, or social events if you feel unwell.
REMEMBER TO STILL LIVE A LITTLE
We have a list of hidden gems and popular spots for you to reset with nature. When the cabin fever gets just a little too much, take a quick dip in one of these tidal pools.
AND DON’T FORGET TO WASH YOUR HANDS
Hand washing has become the most talked about preventative measure and is really simple to follow.
Clean your hands with water and soap for at least 20 seconds or make use of alcohol-based hand sanitisers when you’re on the go. Here’s a list of different times throughout the day that calls for washing your hands:
Source: Capetownmagazine.com ; DEVELOPING: Coronavirus COVID-19 in Cape Town. Updates + practical tips; https://bit.ly/3bay8Cl