Garden Route: 47 Covid-related deaths

GARDEN ROUTE DISTRICT NEWS - As of 10 July, the Garden Route District has 2 241 confirmed cases of Covid-19.

Garden Route cases and recoveries per subdistrict:

* Bitou - 147 cases; 66 recoveries
* Knysna - 353 cases; 172 recoveries
* George - 1186 cases; 570 recoveries
* Hessequa - 38 cases; 27 recoveries
* Kannaland - 26 cases; 11 recoveries
* Mossel Bay - 494 cases; 189 recoveries
* Oudsthoorn - 196 cases; 54 recoveries

The Garden Route has recorded 47 Covid-19 related deaths:

* Hessequa 1
* Mossel Bay 7
* George 24
* Knysna 9
* Bitou 4
* Oudtshoorn 2

Hospitalisation
There are currently 32 patients admitted in public and private hospitals with 9 in ICU.

Community Testing and Screening
The approach to active Covid-19 case finding within the rural areas remain that of community testing and screening with a focus on people > 55 years, the vulnerable and those of high risk (people with co-morbidities). To date 133 536 people have been screened and 851 referred for testing.

Isolation and quarantine
Isolation facilities are for patients with mild to moderate symptoms where they can recover from Covid-19 (usually 14 days) and quarantine facilities are for those awaiting test results. These facilities are safe and comfortable and you will receive free transport, meals, and a laundry service. People who cannot isolate or quarantine safely at home, can be referred to a isolation or quarantine facility.

PetroSA (West Camp) is currently the only activated isolation and quarantine facility in the Garden Route.

More facilities will be announced, if and when the need arises or capacity is exceeded at PetroSA. We currently have 86 people at West Camp.

Primary healthcare
Although Western Cape Government Health urges patients to only visit their nearest clinic for essential services, they remind parents and caregivers that services such as immunisations are still rendered. It is important to attend all your confirmed appointments. Services such as women’s health (family planning, antenatal and post-natal care), child health (immunisations) and TB, are still rendered. Stable chronic care patients must collect their chronic medicine at the chronic off-sites.

Should you require guidance or advice around your current treatment or scheduled appointment, please contact your clinic/hospital.