Covid-19: New cases in the Northern Cape
Yesterday the minister of health announced that the Northern Cape has two new Covid-19 cases. This brings the total number of people who have tested positive to 37. Of these, 24 people have recovered, leaving the province with 13 active cases.
The new positive cases are a 60-year-old person from the Phokwane local municipality and a 45-year-old person from the Sol Plaatje local municipality in the Frances Baard district.
Dr Zwelini Mkhize, minister of health, says he cannot over-emphasise the critical importance of the four key protective measures to protect yourself and others against the virus.
Effective hand hygiene – the frequent washing with soap and water and the use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers. Avoid touching the eyes, nose or mouth, since hands touch many surfaces and once contaminated, hands can transfer the virus to you through eyes, nose or mouth.
Respiratory etiquette – covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze, and the safe disposal thereof.
Physical distancing – avoid close contact (at least 1 meter) with any individual who is not known to be free of Covid-19. Avoid hand-shakes, practice non-touch greetings, minimize social gatherings and all non-essential travel.
Wearing of a cloth mask – this is a requirement in public as it can limit the spread of Covid-19. However, the use of a mask alone is insufficient to provide adequate protection unless the above three measures are followed.
Dr Mkhize wants to remind everyone not to travel unless absolutely necessary, and to stay at home a much as possible. If you must leave your home to buy food or medicine, is an essential worker, or to go for health care services, please ensure that you wear a cloth mask over the nose and mouth, regularly wash your hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, cough or sneeze into a disposable tissue or a bent elbow, and that you maintain social distancing of 1-2 metres from everyone else.
