CORONAVIRUS DISEASE (COVID-19): WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared a national lockdown in South Africa in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

There are 97 302 confirmed COVID-19 cases in South Africa as of 21 June 2020. The number of tests conducted is 1 328 060. The total number of  COVID-19 related deaths now stand at 1930.

#Covid_19 Statistics in South Africa as at 16 June 2020. pic.twitter.com/HrFow9EEdp

— Dr Zweli Mkhize (@DrZweliMkhize) June 16, 2020

The national lockdown moved from alert level 4 to alert level 3 from 1 June.

READ: The importance of flattening the curve

Watch this video on 7 steps to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

View this infographic for guidelines and info on the virus.

Watch the videos below for more information.     View this post on Instagram         

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A post shared by Graeme Codrington (@graemecodrington) on Mar 6, 2020 at 10:00am PST     View this post on Instagram         

“Nowhere to hide” “where do we go?” are headlines of various news agencies that have caused a population panic over COVID-19. I want to stress the basic yet POWERFUL way to defeat this! please share this and show it to family members who do not have access to it. It will give them a better sense of understanding to why we are having these closings, and a sense of calamity in the midst of all the chaos. I know it’s a bit long, but I had to make sure everyone understands that this can be beat, but each and EVERY single one of us must play an active role in doing so! It does not only fall on the healthcare workers, it falls on all of us as a unity to defeat this. How? Social Distancing . #corona #coronavirus #covid-19 #medicine #virus

A post shared by Mohammad Jamal Deen ???? (@jd.moha) on Mar 15, 2020 at 11:15am PDT

What to do when experiencing flu symptoms?

– If flu-like symptoms occur, please follow normal practice: visit a health facility and report specific details (travel overseas or potential exposure). This applies to public and private sectors.

–  The healthcare practitioner will determine whether tests are required and consult with provincial authorities and notify NICD.

– If the patient fits the case definition they will either be isolated, or requested to self-isolate at home.

– Tests are confirmed within 24-48 hours and the patient will be notified.

– If positive, patient will be monitored closely, isolated and treated supportively. This may also involve self-isolation at home (with no contact with outside people).

– If negative, the patient needs to continue medical treatment as prescribed by health practitioner.

– If positive, family, friends, colleagues and other contacts will be followed up for contact tracing (monitoring for symptoms).

What can I do to help?

– Please follow normal preventative health hygiene practice (hand washing, coughing etiquette) to keep healthy.

– Please seek medical help when experiencing flu symptoms.

– Disclose history and exposure.

– Please co-operate with isolation and quarantine advisories.

– Please co-operate with contact tracing instructions (temperature checks and follow up communication).

– Please do not share fake news. Share information responsibly.

– Check and share information from official Health channels or WHO.

– To assist members of the public and health facilities stay updated, we have also launched a dedicated webpage: www.westerncape.gov.za/coronavirus. We encourage members of the public to check the page for updates.